Islam Makhachev has admitted he didn't always believe when Khabib Nurmagomedov 's father told him he would be a world champion in the future.
Makhachev, 30, has the chance to become a UFC champion in October as he faces Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. Oliveira was supposed to be making the third defence of his belt at the event, but he was stripped of the title after missing weight for his UFC 274 clash against Justin Gaethje in May, which he won by first-round submission.
Nurmagomedov's late father Abdulmanap, who sadly passed away two years ago, used to serve as one of Makhachev's head coaches and he always told Makhachev he would be a UFC champion and follow in Nurmagomedov's footsteps once he leaves the sport. Makhachev now has the chance to capture the belt that the now-retired Nurmagomedov defended three times.
