Khabib Nurmagomedov talks Islam Makhachev's potential lightweight return, welterweight move before UFC 330

Khabib Nurmagomedov has addressed the long-running speculation surrounding his friend and teammate Islam Makhachev's potential return to the lightweight division. 

"The Eagle" seems to believe that Makhachev is unlikely to make a comeback to the 155-pound weight class and would instead continue competing in the welterweight (170-pound) division. 

Makhachev -- a former UFC lightweight champion, who boasts the most UFC lightweight championship defenses (four) -- is booked to defend his UFC welterweight championship for the very first time.

The Dagestan, Russia representative will take on Dublin, Ireland's Ian Machado Garry. The grappling great and the striking savant will headline UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov cites unlikeliness of Islam Makhachev's return to lightweight, hails the UFC 330 star's welterweight move

In episode No. 6 of the UFC 330 Embedded: Vlog Series on the UFC's official YouTube channel, Islam Makhachev was seen going through his routine of cutting weight to make 170 pounds for his upcoming championship fight. 

Retired MMA star and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has long mentored Makhachev, both in their native Dagestan as well as at the famed AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) in California. 

Nurmagomedov, as such, is known to possess an intricate understanding of Makhachev's fighting prowess, weight class preferences, and more. The legendary fighter-turned-coach has indicated that his mentee probably won't compete in the lightweight division again. 

Implying that Makhachev's move to welterweight has been beneficial for his health and convenience, Nurmagomedov stated: 

"Honestly, in 170 (pounds), it's much, much better. His mood is changed. His energy is changed. Everything is changed. You know, it's much better. And he feel good. Physically, he feel good. Like, he really like this weight class."

The undefeated MMA veteran added, "I don't think he's gonna go down ever. I don't think so." 

Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov discuss Islam Makhachev's transition to welterweight and the possibility of a lightweight comeback below (*comments at the 0:16-minute mark of the video): 

Khabib Nurmagomedov remains a prominent presence in MMA despite retirement; Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria lightweight super-fight seems less likely by the day

Khabib Nurmagomedov's father and revered MMA coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, passed away in July of 2020. Khabib competed just once after that, submitting Justin Gaethje in a UFC lightweight title unifier that October.

Nurmagomedov then retired from MMA, citing that his mother didn't want him to continue fighting without his father with him. Nevertheless, he continues being a part of the mixed martial arts realm in a coaching capacity, guiding the likes of Islam Makhachev, as well as cousins Umar Nurmagomedov and PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. 

Speaking of Islam Makhachev, he'd long been linked to a possible super-fight against Georgian-Spaniard MMA icon Ilia Topuria. However, Topuria, a former UFC featherweight (145-pound) and lightweight titlist, lost his lightweight belt and suffered his first MMA defeat in June, as he was beaten by Justin Gaethje. He's been on the sidelines since. 

Many fans had previously opined that the Makhachev-Topuria showdown could transpire at lightweight or welterweight. "El Matador" had hinted that he'd move all the way to welterweight and become the first-ever three-division UFC champion by dethroning archrival Makhachev at welterweight. 

All things considered, Topuria's loss in the grueling fight against Gaethje, and Makhachev's apparent disinterest in returning to lightweight have lately led many to believe that the long-awaited super-fight isn't going to materialize anytime soon. A few claim that it might never come to fruition. 

Presently, Makhachev would be eyeing a win to notch his maiden UFC welterweight title defense and break Anderson "The Spider" Silva's record for the longest UFC win streak, in which they're tied at 16 victories each.