Mike Swick Says Islam Makhachev Was the Only Fighter to Trouble Khabib in Sparring

Overview

• Swick told Red Corner MMA that Makhachev was the lone teammate who consistently challenged Khabib Nurmagomedov during gym sessions.
• He said the difficulty came mostly in striking exchanges, while he gives Nurmagomedov the edge in ground fundamentals and basics.
• Swick, who founded AKA Thailand in 2014, said Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov viewed Thailand as a distraction, so Khabib and close teammates did not train at the affiliate.
• The account matches earlier remarks from coach Javier Mendez and now dovetails with Makhachev’s rise to UFC lightweight and welterweight titles, capped by a November 2025 win over Jack Della Maddalena.
• Insiders remain divided on legacy, with Daniel Cormier calling Makhachev more dangerous and Mendez maintaining that nobody was more dangerous than Khabib.