Islam Makhachev has made it clear that loyalty runs deeper than championship gold within his team. The reigning UFC lightweight and welterweight champion addressed the possibility of his training partners competing in the same division, firmly stating that teammates from his camp will never face each other inside the octagon.
“How are you going to compete against each other?” Makhachev explained during an appearance on the Mighty Cast. “If you’re training, I don’t know, like many years together, like every time. For example, many camps, Chanko just comes to Usman’s camp just to help him, you know, give him good rounds. And like Usman goes to his camp, gives him good rounds, helps him.”
The bond extends beyond simple training arrangements. Makhachev pointed to the long history these figh ters share, emphasizing that years of working together creates an unbreakable brotherhood. He referenced his own relationship with former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as an example of this principle in action.
“For like also for myself, when Khabib became champion, I’m never gonna, it’s not gonna happen, you know,” Makhachev said. “Because when I’m beginning this sport, Khabib’s like from the first day help me, you know. How are we going to compete against each other? It’s not like about friends, you know. We’re all brothers, you know, and it’s not possible for our teammates to compete against each other.”
This philosophy stands in contrast to several instances in UFC history where training partners have faced off for titles or rankings. Athletes like Jon Jones and Rashad Evans eventually squared off despite training together, and other camps have seen teammates collide when championship opportunities arose.
However, Makhachev’s team operates differently. He noted that both Chanko and Usman Nurmagomedov are substantial athletes who could compete across multiple weight classes. “Maybe bro, Usman also is not small guy. Chanko is not also small guy. They between the both is big, you know,” he said.
Makhachev emphasized that their training approach strengthens everyone involved. The lightweight and welterweight divisions at their gym feature what he considers the best athletes in the world, constantly pushing each other to improve without the shadow of future competition hanging over their sessions.
“It’s not possible, you know, it’s not possible for our teammates to compete against each other,” Makhachev reiterated, making clear that this is a non-negotiable principle within his camp regardless of weight class, title opportunities, or financial incentives.
