ISLAM MAKHACHEV on KHABIB, BLACK BELTS, ARMAN REMATCH! | EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!

Jan 7, 2025

Islam Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion and top pound-for-pound fighter, shares insights into his rise in the MMA world. He reflects on Khabib's coaching style and reveals his unique training methods, never taking breaks. Discover his combat sambo background, weight management challenges, and how his team’s closeness fuels success. Makhachev discusses recent fight breakdowns and mentally preparing for opponents, including a call-out to rivals. With anecdotes about training in Las Vegas and humor about name pronunciations, it’s a captivating look into a champion's life.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Khabib's Coaching Style

Islam Makhachev described Khabib's intense coaching style, focused on hard work.
He highlighted Khabib's experience and the team's respect for his guidance.

INSIGHT

Delayed Title Shot

Islam Makhachev believes his lack of English and self-promotion delayed his title shot.
He needed a 10-fight win streak to finally get a chance.

ADVICE

Exploiting Weaknesses

Exploit opponent weaknesses by taking the fight where they are weakest.
This efficient approach minimizes risk and maximizes reward.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

THE POUND 4 POUND KING! "Mighty" Demetrious Johnson welcomes The No. 1 P4P fighter & UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev! 0:00 Intro 0:54 PrizePicks! 1:35 DJ is Officially Unc Status 3:04 What was Islam’s FIRST Martial Art 5:12 Islam’s Athletic Background 7:10 Islam’s Combat Sambo Career 8:21 How to Pronounce Islam’s Full Name 11:04 Is Islam the Pound for Pound #1 Right Now? 9:48 HEXCLAD CODE MIGHTY! 11:58 Islam Darced DJ Twice in Training Earlier?! 13:14 Islam’s Recovery Techniques 14:58 What is Khabib like as a Coach? 17:00 Islam NEVER Takes Training Breaks? 17:53 Islam’s ELITE Training Camps 21:38 Training in Las Vegas Instead of San Jose 22:31 DJ is NOT Allowed in the UFC PI? 23:15 Islam’s Road to the UFC Title 23:18 Why Did it Take SO Long for Islam’s Title Shot?(No Dana White Privilege) 25:17 Why Islam Takes Down His Opponents 25:41 Islam vs Poirier BREAKDOWN 27:46 Why is Islam’s Team SO Close? 30:48 How Islam Prepares Mentally for His Fights 32:10 Why is Islam’s Team SO Elite? 36:42 Islam Explains What Makes Fighters SO Great? 37:58 Islam CALLS Out Cejudo and Usman 38:35 Why is Islam’s Team SO Elite? PT. 2 40:12 Islam vs Arman Tsarukyan BREAKDOWN 42:55 Islam vs Volkanovski 1 and 2 BREAKDOWN 44:35 Why it is SO HARD Fighting Over Seas 45:58 Islam’s Favorite Place to Fight 46:47 How Much Weight Does Islam Cut? 48:54 Diaz Brothers vs. Islam’s Team Incident 51:38 Will Islam Fight Topuria or Belal Muhammad? 53:34 Islam vs Charles Oliveira BREAKDOWN 53:58 Islam SOUNDS OFF on BJJ “Black Belts” 55:14 Islam Will Compete in Sambo After the UFC? 57:21 How Much Longer Will Islam Fight? 58:16 Islam’s Recent Injury 58:52 Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov BREAKDOWN 1:00:20 Islam’s MMA Goats 1:01:00 Islam Invites DJ to Dagestan! 1:02:39 Islam and the Team LOVE Playing Paddle 1:04:22 Islam is Giving DJ Tickets to UFC 311?! 1:04:53 DJ Gives Islam His Flowers 1:06:01 Mighty Recap! 1:06:15 Behind the Scenes of Training with Islam 1:09:57 What is Coach Khabib’s Classes Really Like? 1:13:02 DJ is Going to Dagestan?! 1:14:27 Khabib Doesn’t Like Coaching? 1:15:28 Is Islam One of the Best Lightweights Ever? 1:17:40 Behind the Scenes of Training with Islam Pt. 2 1:19:33 How Good Fighters Become GREAT 1:20:34 Who is the #1 Pound for Pound Fighter Right Now? 1:25:40 DJ’s Frustration Over UFC Title Shots 1:27:35 Islam Doesn’t Do Anything for Recovery?! 1:29:39 Michael and DJ Try to Remember Islam’s Hat 1:30:12 Reading Khabib Vlog Comments Produced/edited by Michael Wonsover (@mwonsover on IG/Twitter) Edited by Nick Pappas (@nick_pappas44 on IG)