Nurmagomedov secured Islam Makhachev during his fight against Dustin Porier in the main event of UFC 302. The Dagestani won by choke hold in the fifth round, defending his UFC lightweight title.
"I wasn't surprised that Khabib was in Makhachev's corner. But Khabib has become such a huge figure in the MMA world that he overshadows the people around him. Islam in his shadow has become a champion. I was glad Khabib was present for that. But he also did well to step aside and let Islam prove himself on his own. Thanks to that Makhachev reached a new level. And there is no telling whether he would have reached it if everything had remained as before.
Khabib realized in time that he had to step aside so that the guys from his team could come to success on their own. It looks like Khabib is now coaching not only Islam, but a few other guys as well. If he's really back to coaching, MMA will benefit from it," Cormier said on The MMA Hour.