WATCH: Khabib leads teammates in prayers at UFC 254 coaching camp as he particulars ‘psychological stress’ of being champion

UFC light-weight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says that he is not immune from the ‘psychological stress’ of combating as he speaks of a number of of his teammates dropping off the cardboard upfront of this weekend’s UFC 254 occasion.

What was initially supposed to be one thing of a crew affair on ‘Combat Island’ this weekend has as an alternative changed into a Khabib solo tour after a number of of the Russian’s coaching companions fell off Saturday’s card for a wide range of causes. 

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After saying in August that 4 of his ‘brothers’ could be competing alongside him, one after the other every of these proposed bouts fell by the wayside. Probably the most high-profile of which, a high contender bout between Islam Makhachev and former champion Rafael Dos Anjos, was dominated out after the Brazilian was pressured to withdraw following a coronavirus prognosis. 

And now, with none of Makhachev or his cousins Umar and Abubakar, combating within the octagon, Khabib admits that the state of affairs brings with it an added degree of stress. 

READ MORE: Combat off: UFC debutant Umar Nurmagomedov HOSPITALIZED in Dubai as Khabib’s cousin RULED OUT of UFC 254

“You noticed it, Umar has 39 levels temperature,” the UFC champion defined in a video weblog launched on Friday however shot previous to his departure to Abu Dhabi. “He can be hospitalized. First Abubakar, then Islam couldn’t discover an opponent as a result of his opponent examined constructive. We needed to compete on the identical day. Me, Abubakar, Islam and Umar. Now it is simply me.“

Friday morning’s weigh-ins in Abu Dhabi could have given a glimpse why. Khabib admits within the video that he nonetheless had eight.5kg (nearly 19lbs) to chop within the six days earlier than he stepped on the scales and the proof captured by the ready media on ‘Combat Island’ prompt that his journey to the 155lbs championship weight wasn’t a snug one.

“Sure it does [feel psychologically pressurizing], as a result of we had coaching camp collectively and many others.,” Khabib continues. “Umar had 6kg (13lbs) left. In fact I really feel stress. I do know what they undergo, I went by means of all of this.

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Nonetheless Khabib – who can also be captured within the video main a number of of teammates by means of prayer – says that the toll it takes to get to the highest can solely really be paid by these uncommon fighters who efficiently make it to world championship degree. 

“To turn into a champion it’s important to undergo lots,” he says. “Accidents, disappointment, illnesses, crises. Sure, psychological stress. You will not turn into a champion with out it.”