“We have to help guys emotionally”- Islam Makhachev’s manager shares terrifying insight into effects of being the Dagestani's sparring partner

Islam Makhachev is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world according to many fans and pundits. The lightweight champion holds the longest winning streak in the UFC 155-pound division's history (13) and has dominated nearly every fight he has had since 2015.

Ahead of Makhachev's title fight against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, the Dagestani's longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz shared an eye-opening insight into what sparring partners of the 155-pound king endure.

Abdelaziz was recently interviewed by MMAJunkie and said:

"Listen, we have to give his training partners days off from training for them to be ready for sparring day. Seriously. We have to help guys emotionally... I grappled with him the other day and I was like, 'What the hell am I doing?' I can hold my own against anybody in grappling, somebody my size."

Abdelaziz continued:

"But I felt like I was a little kid playing with a bear. This is how I felt. I was like, 'There's no sense in me even training with this guy ever again.' In a way I felt bad, because I'm a man. But in reality, I felt so confident, how good [Makhachev] is."

Catch Ali Abdelaziz discussing Islam Makhachev below (13:25):

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Islam Makhachev snubbed as P4P No. 1 by upcoming opponent Arman Tsarukyan

The conversation surrounding the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world has been a hot topic in recent times. With Islam Makhachev continuing to assert his dominance over the lightweight division, and Jon Jones returning to action after a year out with injury, debates regarding the P4P best fighter have been rife.

UFC CEO Dana White is firm in his belief that until Jones lays down his gloves for good, he will be the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world. But others, such as Makhachev's manager Ali Abdelaziz, are adamant that the lightweight king reigns supreme as the P4P best.

Ahead of Makhachev's title fight with Arman Tsarukyan, set for UFC 311, the title challenger was interviewed by ESPN MMA. He was asked to share his P4P No. 1 pick between the Dagestani and 'Bones', and he said:

"In my opinion he's number two pound-for-pound, because number one is Jon Jones. For me, personally. [Makhachev] is number two. But for sure, in [the] 155 [pound division], yeah he's the pound-for-pound [best]."

Catch Arman Tsarukyan's take on Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones below (9:55):