Islam Makhachev (image via UFC/Twitter)

By FCF Staff

While Khabib Nurmagomedov acknowledges that Dan Hooker is going to present a test for Islam Makhachev, he sounds more than confident his longtime teammate will win.

Recently it was reported that Hooker has stepped in to fight Makhachev at the UFC’s October 30th card in Abu Dhabi. Hooker is replacing the injured Rafael dos Anjos.

During a recent interview in front of fans, Nurmagomedov weighed in on Makhachev – Hooker, and had this to say (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Islam vs. Dan Hooker is gonna be a very big challenge for Islam,” Nurmagomedov said. “It’s gonna be a good challenge. He’s (Hooker) No. 6 in the rankings, but I think Hooker never fought someone like Islam. All his fights have been against striker. I don’t know what he’s going to do with Islam’s wrestling, pressure, dominance on the ground, how he’s gonna stop him. Only one thing he has is a lucky punch. Without this, 99 percent Islam mauls him.”

Makhachev (20-1) has won eight straight fights and is coming off a submission win over Thiago Moisés in July.

Hooker (21-10), meanwhile, snapped a two-fight losing streak on September 25th by outscoring Nasrat Haqparast for the decision win.