Islam Makhachev Sits Down With Daniel Cormier 🎤

Summary

In this exclusive interview, [Fighter's Name] opens up about his upcoming rematch against Arman Suia, reflecting on his career, his past fights, and the intense preparation leading up to the title defense. He discusses the challenges he faced in previous bouts, like with Dustin Poirier, and emphasizes how he continuously improves, always looking to close any doubts about his dominance. The fighter also shares insights into his training regimen, including the role of his team, Khabib's influence, and his desire for a second title belt. With confidence and respect for his opponents, [Fighter's Name] is poised to defend his title and continue his legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fighter is confident about his upcoming rematch with Arman, acknowledging Arman as a tough contender but believing his superior wrestling will lead to victory.
• 😀 Despite his dominance in recent fights, the fighter feels that the public sometimes expects him to dominate every match, leading to perceptions of underperformance when fights are closer than anticipated.
• 😀 The fighter recognizes Arman’s improvements, especially in wrestling, but emphasizes that wrestling-heavy opponents have historically given him trouble.
• 😀 He mentions that his fight against Dustin Poirier, while seen as close, was a learning experience and not as difficult as people perceive, given Poirier's strong wrestling defense.
• 😀 The champion sees his second fight against Volkanovski as a crucial opportunity to close unanswered questions, following a fight where he underestimated Volkanovski's wrestling skills.
• 😀 The fighter believes that having a second fight against an opponent is beneficial because it allows him to know exactly what to expect and have more options for victory.
• 😀 His training regimen is relentless, with continuous improvement being a key focus, as he feels there is always room to grow.
• 😀 The fighter feels more focused in the U.S. for training camps, although Abu Dhabi is also a second home for him.
• 😀 He takes pride in his team’s success, especially his brother Umar, who is also fighting for a title, seeing it as a shared accomplishment in their journey.
• 😀 The fighter’s camp in Las Vegas is part of his intense preparation for the fight, with the influence of Khabib and a strong team of wrestlers always pushing him to be at his best.

Q & A

What was the fighter's initial thought when the fight with Arman was announced?

The fighter was already aware of the fight for five to six months before it was officially announced. He believed Arman deserved the title shot as the number one contender.

How did the fighter feel about the public perception of his win over Dustin Poirier?

Although he won the fight and submitted Poirier, the fighter felt that many people seemed to praise Poirier for defending takedowns, making it feel like Poirier had won, which was surprising to him.

Why does the fighter think he gets judged differently than other fighters?

The fighter believes that due to his past dominant performances, fans and analysts expect him to 'smash' his opponents. This creates a higher standard, especially when the fight is tougher than anticipated.

What did the fighter think of Dustin Poirier’s wrestling improvement?

The fighter acknowledged that Poirier had greatly improved his wrestling defense, which made the fight more challenging, but he still considered it an important experience.

What does the fighter believe about Arman's wrestling skills compared to others?

The fighter believes that Arman has good wrestling skills but will face problems when up against someone with superior wrestling, like himself.

How does the fighter view his first fight with Arman?

While the fighter admitted that the first fight was challenging and hard, he does not consider it his toughest fight. He attributes it more to being underprepared due to Arman’s lack of recognition at the time.

Why does the fighter prefer to fight a second time against opponents?

The fighter prefers second bouts because they know what to expect from their opponent. This eliminates surprises and allows them to better plan their strategy.

What was the fighter’s perspective on underestimating opponents like Volkanovski?

The fighter admitted to underestimating Volkanovski in their first fight, especially in terms of his wrestling ability, but now, after having faced him, he is better prepared for any future encounters.

What has the fighter been doing to improve since his last fight?

The fighter has been training hard nonstop, ensuring that he is always improving and constantly sharpening his skills to be ready for upcoming challenges.

How does the fighter feel about fighting in California for the upcoming fight?

The fighter is excited about fighting in California because it feels like home. Although he has fought in Abu Dhabi and enjoys it there, he believes the U.S. allows him to be more focused without too many distractions.

What did the fighter say about his teammate, Umar, fighting for a title?

The fighter is proud of Umar, who has come a long way since joining their camp. He sees it as a dream come true for Umar, who has worked hard and now fights for a championship title.

What is the fighter's ultimate goal for his career?

The fighter’s goal is to close any remaining questions about his career, particularly with a second fight against Arman. He also hinted at the possibility of pursuing a second title belt after defending his current title.