Former UFC light-weight champion Khabib – who retired in 2020 after profitable all 29 of his fights – has referred to Davis as a “harmful fighter”.
The Briton says he’s not sure if Khabib is praising him to hype up the bout or to floor Nurmagomedov – who he describes as an “smug particular person”.
“I’ve had it earlier than – if you happen to’re over assured you underperform, so I believe Khabib is making an attempt to make Usman not as assured,” stated Davis.
“Equally, it’s good to get reward from Khabib.”
Davis beat Rabadanov by touchdown the extra damaging strikes when the fighters had been on their ft, however spent the perfect a part of two rounds being out-wrestled.
Though Nurmagomedov opts to strike greater than lots of his team-mates and coaches, Davis is anticipating him to depend on his Dagestan-famed grappling.
“He is very tough, he is fairly a puzzle. It has been a considering camp,” stated Davis.
“Some fighters it’s important to work tougher for. With him I’ve needed to actually research what he does and work out counters for it.
“I’ve had to consider what he might do, however equally remind myself he is solely human.”
Just like the combat in opposition to Rabadanov, Davis goes into the bout as a heavy underdog nevertheless it’s a place he thrives in.
“Individuals really feel like Gadzhi misplaced the combat and I did not win it, however if you happen to watch it again it is not that in any respect – he was making an attempt to win however could not,” stated Davis.
“I believe that is what is going on to occur on Saturday.”
