Khabib Nurmagomedov had a front-row view of Islam Makhachev's latest victory at UFC 302, and he thinks the champion "grew a lot."
Makhachev secured a record-tying third defense of the lightweight title in this past weekend's pay-per-view main event, withstanding the challenge of Dustin Poirier at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
The result certainly did not come easy, with "The Diamond" showing his improvements in what appeared to be his most impressive bid for the undisputed crown to date.
But just like against Khabib in 2019 and Charles Oliveira in 2021, the Louisianan was ultimately forced to tap out. The finish came late in the day, with Makhachev locking up a D'arce choke in the fifth and final round.
Makhachev's fellow countrymen subsequently stormed the cage, including "The Eagle," who was appearing in his protégé corner for the first time since his 2022 title win over Charles Oliveira.
In his return to cageside, the former champ saw Makhachev grow as a fighter...
UFC Shares Khabib's Immediate Thoughts On Makhachev vs. Poirier
Following the conclusion of Saturday's event, UFC cameras caught up with Khabib backstage at Prudential Center to get his immediate thoughts on how the main event played out.
Today, Islam grew a lot. When you go deep like today, it shows people, and you understand your body and your things inside; how deep you can go, even more. There is more place," Khabib said.
Sometimes — not sometimes, all the time people underestimate theirselves. Our body, our soul, we can go deeper than five rounds, 10 rounds; doesn’t matter. You just have to find this," Khabib continued. "You have to be relaxed and find this way. The way how you have to go, how you can go deep. It was a very good fight.
It remains to be seen whether Khabib will once again become a mainstay in the corner of the lightweight kingpin.
Coach Javier Mendez has called for "The Eagle" to corner his team's major fights, and that would certainly include a second dance with Arman Tsarukyan or potential shot at two-division glory up at 170 pounds.