Khabib Nurmagomedov Believes Saygid Izagakhmaev will be the world’s best MMA fighter.The rising star from Dagestan is preparing for his toughest test to date: ONE 163: Akimoto vs. Petchtanong, where he will face former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki.
Saygid Izagakhmaev
And in accordance with Nurmagomedov, his protégé will continue to rise to greater heights after that matchup this coming Saturday, November 19, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.The 28-year-old has dominated the talented lightweight class of ONE Championship.
In his promotional debut in January, the Eagles MMA fighter submitted former ONE Welterweight World Title challenger James Nakashima. Eight months later, Izagakhmaev completely destroyed Chinese star Zhang Lipeng on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Few individuals are more familiar with the #4-ranked lightweight contender than four-time MMA World Champion Nurmagomedov. Izagakhmaev is still developing, according to the retired star, and will soon be regarded as the world’s best MMA fighter.
Nurmagomedov said:
“I’ve been training with Saygid my whole life. I know how much he improves every year. I know how dedicated he is. He’s getting physically stronger and stronger. He’s getting more and more experienced from fight to fight and soon, he’s going to be the best – not only in our team, but in the world. I have a lot of faith in him.”
Izagakhmaev has mainly adhered to Nurmagomedov’s strategy throughout his 21 professional victories, employing a plethora of unstoppable takedowns, crushing top pressure, vicious ground-and-pound, and, finally, picture-perfect submissions.
Through his first two fights inside the Circle, the Dagestani rising star has employed that grappling-based strategy, but Nurmagomedov thinks the lightweight phenom has only given fans a little taste of his true potential.