Brain Ortega asks Coach Khabib to take him under his wing after Islam Makhachev's win at UFC 280

In the aftermath of Islam Makhachev's win at UFC 280, Brian Ortega has requested Khabib Nurmagomedov to take him under his wing. Makhachev -- who happens to be Nurmagomedov's childhood friend, longtime training partner, and protege -- is fresh off a spectacular win over Charles Oliveira.

The Sambo savant from Dagestan faced former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, for the vacant UFC lightweight title at UFC 280 on October 22. The fight witnessed Makhachev dominantly defeat 'do Bronx' via second-round submission to become the new UFC lightweight champion.

Makhachev has time and again credited Khabib Nurmagomedov and the latter's late father, legendary MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, for helping him become the fighter that he is.

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in October 2020. 'The Eagle' has since been working as a part-time coach at the AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) gym in San Jose, California, and in his training centers back in Dagestan, Russia.

Several fighters, including the likes of fan-favorite Kevin Holland, have previously expressed interest in working with 'Coach Khabib'. Similarly, former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega has now suggested that he'd like 'The Eagle' to train him. 'T-City' posted a tweet that read as follows:

"Khabib train me please @ufc"

Currently the No. 3-ranked contender in the featherweight division, Brian Ortega's most recent fight was a first-round TKO loss against the No. 2-ranked Yair Rodriguez in July. The fight saw Ortega suffer a shoulder injury. As of this time, details regarding Ortega's next opponent and exact comeback date remain shrouded in mystery.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov breaks down a potential fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski

The consensus is that newly-crowned UFC lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev could defend his title in a super-fight against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 on February 12, 2023.

Speaking to ESPN MMA after UFC 280, Khabib Nurmagomedov predicted that Makhachev would defeat Volkanovski and become the UFC's new No.1 pound-for-pound fighter.

Khabib Nurmagomedov lauded Alexander Volkanovski for his boxing prowess, vast experience, and multiple UFC featherweight title defenses. Nevertheless, 'The Eagle' warned that irrespective of how much Volkanovski trains to counter Islam Makhachev's wrestling, Thai clinch, and left hand, he'd still end up defeated. Picking Makhachev to beat 'Volk,' Nurmagomedov said:

"Volkanovski? Clinch, lot of knees; he's gonna eat a lot of knees. He [Makhachev] is gonna take his [Volkanovski's] all energy, take him down, and he's gonna choke him out."

Watch Nurmagomedov address the topic at 5:37 in the video below: