Khabib Nurmagomedov picks which was easy between fighting Dustin Poirier and cornering Islam Makhachev against 'The Diamond'

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov passed on the torch to his teammate and close friend, Islam Makhachev, when he chose to hang up his gloves in 2020. The retired MMA legend passed on his knowledge to his fellow Dagestani warrior and helped him win the same title he relinquished, two years later.

With many of his former opponents still active to this day, Nurmagomedov saw himself facing them again - this time as coach and cornerman to Islam Makhachev. One such fighter is Dustin Poirier, who lost to both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev, respectively, in separate title fights.

In an exclusive interview with Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA, Nurmagomedov was asked which one felt better, contrasting the feelings between beating Poirier inside the cage or beating him outside as a cornerman to Islam Makhachev.

Nurmagomedov said (9:58):

"Outside and inside cage? Inside was much better. When I was inside, I don't have to talk. Only [a] couple of times I talk [to him]. Inside the cage when I was with Dustin [Poirier], a couple of times I remember I talked with him."

He added:

"But when I was outside with Islam [Makhachev], like, almost [for] 25 minutes I was just talking. I cannot do nothing. I don't like this, to be honest. But it was an amazing fight. It was an amazing fight for fans. Amazing finish in the fifth round and very good experience for Islam."

Listen to Khabib Nurmagomedov here:

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Khabib Nurmagomedov coaches Islam Makhachev, other fighters to continue his father's legacy

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired at 32, an age where some fighters are in the middle of their primes. His father, the legendary sports coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the man who trained him and other fighters like Islam Makhachev when they were boys, sadly passed away in 2020. When he chose to hang up his gloves, 'The Eagle' solemnly said that he couldn't continue fighting without his father in his corner.

He didn't leave the sport entirely, however, as Nurmagomedov continued Abdulmanap's legacy by becoming the head coach of his father's gym Eagles MMA. The team saw tremendous success under Nurmagomedov's tutelage, which led them to have a staggering win-loss record of 91-1 so far.

When asked what would his father think of him continuing his work, Nurmagomedov said (11:38):

"I think he [my father] would be happy. Because of these results, you know. Any fight, doesn't matter. When he was cornering us, when he was cornering us in amateur competition, when he was cornering us in professional, he always liked to win. He never liked to lose, you know. Any small things he lose, he takes it very very seriously."