Overview
- Swick told Red Corner MMA that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov viewed Thailand as a distraction, so Khabib, Islam Makhachev, and their close teammates avoided training there.
- He said Khabib and Islam never trained at AKA Thailand during their competitive careers and added he would welcome a visit from Khabib now that he is retired.
- Swick corroborated Javier Mendez’s prior account that Makhachev was the only regular who troubled Khabib in the gym, highlighting Islam’s edge in striking.
- He emphasized that Khabib held the advantage on the ground due to superior basics and strength, while Islam showed more natural stand-up.
- Swick noted he expected Makhachev to become a champion, a forecast borne out by Islam’s subsequent rise that included two-division title success reported in 2025.