Khabib Nurmagomedov Returns to Islam Makhachev’s Corner at UFC 302

"The Eagle has landed" 🦅@MAKHACHEVMMA is excited to have @TeamKhabib back in his corner for #UFC302! pic.twitter.com/AcvpdByEnX

— UFC (@ufc) May 28, 2024

Islam Makhachev has confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner for his upcoming title fight.

Makhachev (25-1) will defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier (30-8) in the UFC 302 main event on June 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. While Makhachev has been seen training with Nurmagomedov ahead of UFC 302, it wasn’t confirmed up until now whether “The Eagle” would be present for the card. However, Makhachev has now clarified that Nurmagomedov will indeed be in his corner for the pay-per-view offering, which he is certainly glad about. “Eagle is landed in Jersey City. He is going to be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he is one of the best corner, coach, brother, friend. That’s it.”

Order Now! UFC 302 “Makhachev vs. Poirier” Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+

Nurmagomedov retired from competition after defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020, following the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. “The Eagle” subsequently appeared to fill in his father’s shoes, coaching and cornering his friends and teammates. However, Nurmagomedov claimed to have completely parted ways with the sport in January 2023, a month before Makhachev’s UFC 284 title defense against Alexander Volkanovski. UFC 302 will be the first time since then that Nurmagomedov will grace a Ultimate Fighting Championship event.