Morning report: Daniel Cormier calls Justin Gaethje the ‘toughest opponent’ for Khabib Nurmagomedov

Later this year, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will defend his title against Justin Gaethje, the man many believe to be the toughest test for Khabib in the 155-pound division. And Khabib’s longtime training partner and friend Daniel Cormier agrees.

Cormier recently spoke with Yahoo Sports and discussed Khabib’s upcoming title defense against Gaethje, calling it the toughest fight of Nurmagomedov’s career.

“I think he will fight his most expensive opponent,” Cormier said. ‘I think the vast majority of the world feels like this is the most troublesome man at 155 [pounds]. I think he will do well. His ability to train for this and to prepare him and to work through the goal that he and his father had together will enable him to come to terms with everything that is happening around him. ”

The fight will be difficult, not only because of the physical challenges that Gaethje presents, but also because of the mental that Khabib has in the run-up to this fighter. The father of the lightweight champion, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, has recently died of complications due to COVID-19. It was a wonderful blow to the world of mixed martial arts and one that some people had asked if Khabib might retire as a pensioner. Instead, Nurmagomedov chooses to return immediately to the business of fighting, and Cormier says it may be the best way for him to deal with his father’s death.

“Sometimes you need distraction and you need motivation in various forms,” Cormier said. ‘I think Khabib will use it [his father’s death] as motivation. He is a professional. He is a pro pro and he will prepare himself to the best of his ability.

‘Javier Mendez (head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy) will corner me and fight me, and then, a month later, he will go to Russia and spend the last two months of Khabib’s training camp with him. The team will prepare him to the best of his ability, but he will also be around his family who love him, and now he will see Javier from here, another familiar face that will help him through a difficult time. to come, as he prepares to defend his title again. ”

However, the change in training will not be the only difference for this title fight. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this lightweight title fight will take place in an empty arena. It will be the first time that Khabib fights without fans present and that could also mean that Cormier will not be for the match either. ‘DC’ has not brought anyone into the corner for some time and will not make the trip to Dagestan to help advise Khabib, so the only way he could have been present was if he mentioned the event, which Cormier mentioned in the generally does not make do. Still, Cormier hopes he can be there to support Khabib for his costly test.

“I don’t normally call Khabib fights because it’s too difficult,” Cormier said. ‘I’m too invested in him as a friend, but if he stepped into the octagon, I would be in some form in the arena to support my friend. I think that is very important. He is our champion. He is currently the only champion of AKA and we hold him high and want to support him as much as we can. ”

Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje will take place at UFC 254 on October 24th. The location has not yet been determined.

---

Contender Series. All 5 winners earn UFC contracts at DWCS Season 4: Week 2.

Carnage. Justin Gaethje has plans to create ‘zone of death’ for Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254.

Introspection. Daniel Cormier: ‘Nobody has the ability to train and fight forever, and I know it’.

Coaching. Ben Askren reveals the one thing he would do differently if he looks back on his career.

Out. Yoel Romero from co-headliner vs. Uriah Hall at the August 22 UFC event.

COVID. Ion Cutelaba positive for COVID-19, UFC 252 rematch with Magomed Ankalaev eliminated.

---

Between the Left is competing this week for a fake belt.

Embed 2.

Break down Daniel Cormier’s wrestling.

A great story about Matt Lindland, whether it’s true or not.

---

The Bash. Interviews with Javier Mendez, Mason Jones, and Ian Garry.

UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Junior dos Santos and Jim Miller.

---

Aljo does what it takes to get the title shot.

Teaser for something.

Good people.

Okay, that’s a pretty good thing about Henry.

Ben is still trying.

Beef.

What do you know, a good UFC fighter!

---

Weber Almeida (3-0) vs. Salim Mukhidinov (7-4); Bellator 244, 21 aug.

Maki Pitolo (13-6) vs. Impa Kasanganay (7-0); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 22

Timur Valiev (16-2) vs. Mark Striegl (18-2); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 22

Roosevelt Roberts (10-2) vs. Matt Frevola (8-1-1); UFC Fight Night, Sept. 12

---

Man, that quote from Justin Gaethje is one of the most bad things ever said in this sport. I get hype for that fight.

Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow.

---

---

If you find something you want to see in the Morning Report, save it @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know. Follow MMAFighting as well Instagram, join us on Snapchat in MMA Fighting, and enjoy joining us Facebook.