Khabib Nurmagomedov showed what he's capable of right off the bat in the UFC 302 main event.
“The Eagle” has come out of retirement from MMA coaching to help prepare his protégé Islam Makhachev for his fight against Dustin Poirier on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
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Makhachev was pushed into a corner but sensationally choked Poirier out in the fifth round to retain the lightweight title formerly held by Nurmagomedov.
Conor McGregor's nemesis and several others stormed the cage to congratulate Makhachev, but Khabib quickly turned his attention to Poirier.
Medics surrounded “The Diamond” after he regained consciousness, and footage shows him telling them he was ready to stand, before Nurmagomedov stepped in and helped him to his feet.
The two shook hands inside the cage before exchanging kind words and hugs.
Nurmagomedov wasn't on such friendly terms the last time they faced each other in the Octagon.
Poirier landed some hard punches and threatened a guillotine choke, but was outgunned by the 29-0 Russian boxer when they met at UFC 242 in September 2019, losing by submission in the third round.
After speaking with Nurmagomedov, Poirier took to the microphone with Joe Rogan to discuss his future as a fighter after suffering his third loss in a UFC title fight.
The 35-year-old has suggested he is ready to retire from mixed martial arts following his latest defeat.
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“I'm not 100 percent, but if this is my last fight, I want to dedicate this journey to the people who have shaped who I am today – the women in my life,” Poirier said.
“Grandma, I miss you every day and am protected by your prayers. Mom, we have had a hard life. I love you. Thank you for always supporting me.”
“To my wife, I love you so much. I wouldn't be standing here without you. Baby, I don't know if I'd be breathing without you.
“hoodie, [Poirier’s daughter] “Daddy is doing well. I love you so much. I'm so proud of you. We're going to be okay, baby. Always follow your dreams. It's a great thing.”
Khabib also praised his protégé Makhachev for how he handled the bout.
“Islam has grown a lot today,” Khabib told UFC Media. “When you go deep like today, it gets to people, you understand your body and what you have inside of you. How deep can you go? Even more. There is more space.”
“Sometimes, no, all the time, people underestimate themselves. Our bodies, our souls, can go deeper than five, 10 rounds. It doesn't matter. You just have to find this, you have to relax and find this way, how to go, how deep you can go. It was a very good fight.”
