Topics: MMA, UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov
Mothers of even the best fighters in the world still worry about their children.
While many combat sports stars may have fighting in their DNA, others have very well gone against their parent’s wishes.
For Islam Makhachev, his mother simply isn’t a fan of the violence.
Violence and danger are an inherent part of the UFC game so it’s not too shocking to hear that some mothers would be much happier if their child wrapped up their careers sooner rather than later.
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But maybe it’s a tad shocking when fighters as fierce as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev still have their mothers to worry about.
Khabib famously called it a day on his MMA career, partly due to his mother’s wishes.
After defeating Justin Gaethje and retaining his UFC Lightweight Championship the Russian revealed that a personal conversation with his parent led to his decision.
“I talked with my mother (for) three days,” Nurmagomedov revealed.
“She didn’t want me to fight without father, but I promised her it was going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this. It was my last fight here.”
And it seems as though Makhachev’s mother wants him to again follow in the footsteps of his mentor.
In an interview with UFC Russia, the lightweight revealed that his mother finds it hard to watch MMA and told him to ‘listen to his mother’ like Khabib did to his.
He said: “My mother doesn’t watch fights.
“Not just my fights, fights in general. She doesn’t like seeing people hit each other.
“When I came home [after winning the title], there were a lot of people there. She said, ‘You’re champion now. Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother, when will you listen to yours?’”
“I told her Khabib defended his title and I need to do the same.”
“It’s a hard topic for my mother. My father’s the opposite. He watches all the fights.”
If the Dagestani continues to follow Khabib’s suit don’t be surprised if he retires only a few title defences.
He came out on top against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, and there’s definitely an appetite for a rematch later down the line.
The Russian certainly doesn’t have a lack of challengers as well with Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, and Dustin Poirier all looking for a shot.
