Imagine knowing a fighter’s destiny over a decade before it unfolds—that’s exactly what Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed about his protégé, Islam Makhachev. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it sheer foresight, or did Khabib’s mentorship shape Makhachev into the champion he is today? Let’s dive in.
Since retiring in 2020, Khabib has shifted his focus from dominating the octagon to cultivating the next wave of Dagestani talent. At the forefront of this movement stands Islam Makhachev, who not only succeeded Khabib as the UFC lightweight champion but also dominated the division with four successful title defenses. Now, Makhachev is setting his sights on a new challenge: moving up to welterweight to face Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event at Madison Square Garden. If he wins, he’ll join the elite ranks of two-division champions—a feat Khabib predicted over a decade ago.
And this is the part most people miss: In 2014, Khabib took to social media to declare Makhachev as one of Europe’s best young fighters, urging fans to ‘remember the name.’ Fast forward to today, and Khabib is doubling down on that prediction, even borrowing Dana White’s iconic catchphrase, ‘If you don’t know, now you know,’ while re-sharing his decade-old prophecy on Instagram. It’s a bold reminder of his unshakable belief in Makhachev’s potential.
But Makhachev isn’t the only fighter chasing history at UFC 322. In the co-main event, Zhang Weili will challenge flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko, aiming to become a two-division champion herself. Together, they could expand the UFC’s list of double champions, currently standing at 10 fighters, including legends like Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, and Jon Jones. Here’s a thought-provoking question: With fighters like Makhachev and Topuria eyeing multiple divisions, are we witnessing the rise of a new era of cross-weight dominance, or is specialization still the key to MMA greatness?
While Makhachev has stated he’s content staying at welterweight post-UFC 322, others like Ilia Topuria are already eyeing a historic third championship. This begs the question: How far can these athletes push the boundaries of their sport? And more importantly, who will be the first to conquer three divisions?
As UFC 322 approaches, one thing is clear: Khabib’s vision for Makhachev is on the brink of full realization. But whether it’s destiny or mentorship that’s driving this success, the debate is wide open. What do you think? Let us know in the comments—is Khabib’s prediction a testament to his foresight, or is Makhachev’s rise a product of his mentor’s guidance?
