"Some are waiting for him to lose."

Before the fight between the UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and the American Justin Gaethje, there are a little over two weeks left.

The Russian has moved on to the final phase of preparation, which he conducts at a training camp in the UAE.

Despite the fact that the fighter and his team have to observe strict security measures and take a coronavirus test every 48 hours, he called the conditions provided “royal”.

Full training did not stop even when he needed to spend two days in self-isolation after moving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

“I had mats, a treadmill, a bike, a punching bag, a rope in my room.

I trained normally.

I have been doing this all my life and I know which days to press on.

In Abu Dhabi, he put more pressure on the pitching, worked individually.

Arriving in Dubai, I began to conduct more sparring and fights.

We were received here by the Crown Prince of Dubai, we are training in his residence, "Nurmagomedov said during an online press conference.

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However, even the most luxurious conditions cannot compensate for Khabib for the absence of his father and mentor Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who was next to him throughout his career.

The athlete himself said that it was extremely difficult for him after his death.

“I don’t understand when people ask me,“ How hard is it for you to train without your father? ”

Of course it's hard.

I don't understand why you keep asking me about this.

If something happened to your father, it would be very difficult for you.

I am also a man, ”Nurmagomedov said.

The UFC champion not only reveals to fans the details of his training, but also regularly shares his opinion on this or that topic.

So, he admitted that he considers himself an optimist.

“The optimist says the world is wonderful.

That a person can make many dreams come true and reach great heights.

That there is a way out of any situation and, in general, almost all people are good.

It seems to me that this is close to my worldview, "Khabib wrote on Instagram.

As the battle approaches, more and more predictions for its outcome appear.

And although many call the upcoming duel with Gatji the most difficult in Nurmagomedov's career, most experts believe that the Russian will emerge victorious from it.

According to ex-Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko, the organization of the next meeting, rumors about which are already circulating, will become an additional incentive for him.

“Anyone can lose.

Moreover, of all the rivals of Khabib, Gatji is the most serious puncher.

I see that Khabib is preparing, but it will be more difficult for him.

Responsibility is added with each new battle.

Some are waiting for him to lose, "- quoted Shlemenko" Championship ".

But the winner of one of the first UFC tournaments, Oleg Taktarov, refused to make a forecast for the upcoming fight.

“I want to say that I took the pause.

Tired of reading all sorts of nonsense.

I am engaged in cinema, now it brings me more pleasure.

Good luck to everyone.

Let the strongest win, ”Taktarov told Sport24.

"Let Khabib do what he wants"

The other day, two years have passed since one of the most important battles in Nurmagomedov's career.

On the night of October 7, 2018, he defeated the Irishman Conor McGregor.

Their fight has become one of the brightest events in mixed martial arts in recent years and will be remembered not only by the actions of rivals in the octagon, but also by a number of scandalous events outside of it.

Recalling his triumph, the Russian said that for the sake of victory he was ready for literally anything - even go to prison.

“It was just business for him, but not for me.

It was the evening when the masks flew apart and a couple of highlanders wrote history in the center of Vegas with the blood of rivals, ”the fighter said.

As for Khabib's prospects, new details of his next fight have emerged.

Manager Ali Abdel-Aziz assured that a grandiose fight and a big surprise await the fans.

At the same time, he stressed that we are not talking about a rematch with McGregor or a meeting with Georges Saint-Pierre.

His words were confirmed by Nurmagomedov himself, saying that the UFC is preparing "something special" for him.

It turned out that the leadership of the promotion plans to try again to organize a fight between Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

“I hope this fight with Khabib will take place, because people want to see him.

I don’t think any of the fights has been broken as many times as this one.

I’m even a little scared to organize it again.

What can happen?

Will an asteroid hit Earth?

That is how unlucky we are when it comes to this meeting, "- quotes the President of the UFC Dana White Sports Illistrated.

At the same time, Ferguson himself said that he did not intend to wait for the consent of Nurmagomedov and expects to hold his next battle by the end of 2020.

“I'm not going to wait for anyone, damn it.

Khabib can end his career, let him do what he wants.

I'm not going to console him.

I will be next to him on the mat as a comrade.

That's all I can say, "- quotes the words of Ferguson ESPN.

Rumors of a possible meeting between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson could upset those awaiting his meeting with Saint-Pierre.

So, according to the former Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov, it is a fight with a Canadian that can become a big event not only in the world of MMA, but also beyond it.

“Maybe White is misleading, coming from logical.

Still, Khabib himself declared about this battle.

I don't know if it makes sense for the UFC president himself to avoid this fight, perhaps he wants to detain Nurmagomedov in MMA with these conversations.

Delays the desired duel beyond the 30th battle.

Such a kind of manipulation may be present, ”suggested Minakov.