Islam Makhachev knows greatness when he sees it. His reign as the UFC’s lightweight champion is carrying the legacy left behind by Khabib Nurmagomedov. But outside the Octagon, the Dagestani warrior is a student of combat sports and never shies away from recognizing champions who embody the same spirit.And when Artur Beterbiev, the relentless knockout artist, stepped into the ring for a grueling rematch against Dmitry Bivol, Makhachev and Team Khabib took notice. With heartfelt posts on social media, Makhachev alongside his longtime teammate Zubaira Tukhugov, made sure to let the world know exactly how they felt about the 40-year-old powerhouse!Artur Beterbiev receives his flowers from Islam Makhachev and Team Khabib as a “true champion” In a post on Instagram, Zubaira Tukhugov wrote, “Brother, Arthur, you are a true champion and a worthy representative of your people. You have forever etched your name in the history of the world, professional sport.”It wasn’t just simple admiration, it was a declaration of respect for a fighter who had walked through fire time and time again.Islam Makhachev echoed the sentiment, sharing Tukhugov’s words on his Instagram story. For Team Khabib, a loss doesn’t erase legacy. In their world, greatness isn’t measured solely by belts. It’s also about heart, resilience, and the willingness to step into battle against the best. And they weren’t the only ones who thought so.UFC sensation Khamzat Chimaev, known for his ferocity in the cage, also took to social media to remind the world of Beterbiev’s place in history. “Will always remain in the history of boxing @arturbeterbiev legend,” Chimaev wrote, alongside a powerful image of the 21-1 boxer draped in championship gold.And Artur Beterbiev had done just that. The rematch against Dmitry Bivol was nothing short of a masterclass in high-stakes boxing. The 40-year-old Canadian-Russian slugger brought his signature power, rattling Bivol with thunderous power punches early in the fight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zubaira Tukhugov (@zubairatukhugov)But Bivol had answers. Crisp footwork, lightning-fast counters, and an unwavering game plan allowed him to take control in the later rounds. By the championship rounds, Bivol was dancing, landing clean shots, and proving why he had long been considered one of the most technical boxers in the world.With the judges scoring the fight 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113, Bivol walked away with the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles becoming the undisputed light-heavyweight king of boxing. When the final bell rang, there was no instant celebration, just two warriors who had emptied their gas tanks in pursuit of greatness.Tukhugov’s post summed it up perfectly as he stated, “You are a phenomenal sportsman who has reached unbelievable heights in boxing. You are an absolute champion with nothing to prove! We are proud of you!”So, what’s next for Artur Beterbiev? That’s the question hanging over the boxing world like an unfinished symphony after the incredible re-match between the pair. The answer may lie in the inevitable calls for one more fight to finally settle the score!Dmitry Bivol needs a little “rest” as Beterbiev ready to throw down for a third time As the dust settled over the re-match between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, the questions quickly began popping up about what comes next. Bivol, now the undisputed light-heavyweight champion confessed, “I’m ready for any challenge. But I want a little bit of rest, because I had some injuries and I was using anti-inflammation [medication] almost the whole camp. I want a little bit of time to heal myself and come back.”On the other hand, Beterbiev, who had just suffered the first loss of his professional career, was more blunt in his response. While he didn’t speak on the judge’s decision, he did congratulate his opponent and state, “I think this fight was better than first fight, but now it’s my time to come back.”And then came the burning question, would he take the trilogy fight? Beterbiev didn’t hesitate as he stated, “Actually I didn’t want the second fight. It wasn’t my choice. But no problem. We’re going to do a third fight.”For fans, the prospect of a third showdown between these two warriors is too good to ignore. Even Islam Makhachev and Team Khabib made it clear, Beterbiev’s greatness isn’t defined by a single fight. In their eyes, he’s still an “absolute champion.” So, do you think we’ll get to see these two elite boxers square off once more to settle the score? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! The post Islam Makhachev Joins Team Khabib and Khamzat Chimaev to Reveal True Feelings for Artur Beterbiev After Loss appeared first on EssentiallySports.