Ahead of his highly-anticipated return at UFC 302 next month, undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has shed light on a conversation he had with his long-time friend and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov – which took place ahead of Nurmagomedov’s 2019 title fight with Dustin Poirier.

Specifically, about Khabib wanting Dustin to put him in his trademark Guillotine Choke!

Makhachev revealed that Nurmagomedov instructed Poirier to attempt a Guillotine Choke during the fight, as part of a tactical approach to wear him down:

Before the fight, I swear to God, Khabib told me: “Hey, catch me in Guillotine, I have to feel [it].”

“I will give him my neck and make him tired”, and that’s what we did in the locker room before the fight.

And, well, as far as Dustin Poirier and his Guillotine Chokes are considered…
The man just can’t get enough of them – even when his head coach tells him to stop!

During his fight against Benoit Saint Denis, Poirier was advised by Mike Brown (his head coach) not to go for any more Guillotines, a moment that was caught on live TV.
However, it appears that the broadcast didn’t catch the rest of the exchange between Dustin and his coach.

Brown explained what happened in an interview with MMA Fighting:

They actually didn’t play it in between the rounds.
After the first round I said: “No more Guillotines”, and then they switched to the other corner.

But right after I said that, Dustin said: “No, but I can hit it! I can hit it!”
I just replied: “You crazy bastard.”

I literally said that and then he went and jumped another one.
They didn’t play that part, but there was more words said after I said don’t jump the Guillotine.