"He's not training now and pushing us so hard"– Islam Makhachev "getting angry" at coach Khabib Nurmagomedov

Islam Makhachev has been compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov for much of his career. While 'The Eagle' is now retired, Makhachev will receive his first lightweight title opportunity at UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira. The No.4-ranked lightweight opened up on Nurmagomedov's approach as a coach.

While speaking to Adam Catterall of BT Sport, Islam Makhachev was asked about how his relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov has changed now that his close friend and former training partner is coaching him. Makhachev stated:

"Sometimes, I am angry because he's not training now and push us so hard. I told the other coach 'Hey, this guy not control' because if we did sparring or wrestling - I remember when we're training we did sparring, grappling... wrestling and then finished [the training]... but always he have some exercise after this training."

Makhachev was then asked whether 'The Eagle' is a tougher coach than his late father. He responded:

"Yeah, I think so because he don't have too much experience being a coach, but he push us so hard. For example, this camp, just this week I have light training, but all other couple months, so hard."

Hearing that Nurmagomedov relentlessly pushes those he trains should be no surprise. 'The Eagle' is widely regarded as the greatest lightweight and one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. He is well known for his work ethic.

Watch Islam Makhachev discuss Khabib Nurmagomedov as a coach below (starting at the 7:37 mark):

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Javier Mendez disputes the notion that Islam Makhachev is following Khabib Nurmagomedov's footsteps

American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez has been able to witness the careers of both Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. While many believe that Makhachev is following in Khabib's footsteps, Mendez disagrees with that narrative:

"He never copied him from the beginning and he never felt pressure from the beginning. Islam was Islam right from the get-go. He knew what he was going to do. He knew his path. He had an example in Khabib to follow, but he wasn't following in Khabib's footsteps. It was Islam's footsteps. It was his own identity."

Mendez would add that Makhachev and Nurmagomedov are completely different. While Makhachev may not be following in Khabib's footsteps, he will certainly hope to emulate him at UFC 280 to become the UFC's lightweight champion.

Watch Javier Mendez discuss Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov below (starting at the 1:03:51 mark):