MMA: ‘Joker in the pack’ Alfie Davis plots Usman Nurmagomedov and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov’s downfall

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib – who retired in 2020 after winning all 29 of his fights – has referred to Davis as a “dangerous fighter”.

The Briton says he is unsure if Khabib is praising him to hype up the bout or to ground Nurmagomedov – who he describes as an “arrogant individual”.

“I’ve had it before – if you’re over confident you underperform, so I think Khabib is trying to make Usman not as confident,” said Davis.

“Equally, it is good to get praise from Khabib.”

Davis beat Rabadanov by landing the more damaging strikes when the fighters were on their feet, but spent the best part of two rounds being out-wrestled.

Although Nurmagomedov opts to strike more than many of his team-mates and coaches, Davis is expecting him to rely on his Dagestan-famed grappling.

“He’s very tricky, he’s quite a puzzle. It’s been a thinking camp,” said Davis.

“Some fighters you have to work harder for. With him I’ve had to really study what he does and work out counters for it.

“I’ve had to think about what he could do, but equally remind myself he’s only human.”

Like the fight against Rabadanov, Davis is going into the bout as a heavy underdog but it’s a position he thrives in.

“People feel like Gadzhi lost the fight and I didn’t win it, but if you watch it back it’s not that at all – he was trying to win but couldn’t,” said Davis.

“I think that’s what’s going to happen on Saturday.”