A Look At Khabib Nurmagomedov

A Look At Khabib Nurmagomedov

By Andy Hickey 

Currently the greatest 155-pound fighter on this planet, Khabib Nurmagomedov was born into the combat lifestyle. His 26-0 record (Longest active streak in MMA) was molded by his father in the republic of Dagestan. Wrestling since the tender age of 8, The Eagle is famed for childhood videos of him wrestling a bear cub.

A grappling style crafted in the harshest of environments, Khabib sits among the very elite grapplers in the world today and is the only Russian born fighter to hold UFC gold. A testament to the level of training he received under the tutelage of his father Abdulmanap. Khabib altered between Judo and freestyle wrestling in his teens before combat Sambo became his preferred discipline. He became a World champion in the sport in 2009(74kg) and added another in 2010(82Kg). His status a world champion in a discipline outside MMA often goes without fanfare due to the sports lack of popularity outside of Eastern Europe.

He made his professional MMA debut 7 days before his 19th birthday in September of 2008. The next four years spent fighting on the regional circuits of Russia and Ukraine as well as two appearances with M-1. Not a natural Lightweight, the last 8 fights he had before signing with the UFC were contested at 170 pounds and all resulted in stoppage victories. A triangle choke by way of an armbar becoming his go to technique. While only Bellator veteran Shahbulat Shamhalaev offered much name recognition in the formative years of Khabib’s MMA career, the MMA community still highly anticipated the UFC debut of the 16-0 Russian.

It came early in 2012. He would fight twice in the UFC that year as well as showing his Jiu Jitsu skills at the North American grappling association’s World championships. Claiming gold in the Men’s No-Gi Expert and ADCC Rules No-Gi Expert Welterweight divisions.

Joining the ranks of Javier Mendez and AKA in San Jose was the catalyst to ascent on dominating the sport at world level. His MMA debut on North American soil and return to Lightweight solidified his reputation as one of the biggest prospects in the sport.

Tapping WEC vet Kamal Shalorus in the 3rd round of a one-sided contest. The only debatable contest of his career came in his second fight for the UFC against Gleison Tibau. A gritty vet with a frame far larger than the 155 standard. Nurmagomedov went 0-13 on takedowns and was out struck statistically by his more seasoned opponent. His pressure against the cage giving him the nod on scorecards that received strong criticism from sections of the media.

The Eagle set the record for the most takedowns in a single fight when he battled Abel Trujillo at UFC 160. He took his opponent to the mat an unprecedented 21 times. It was a stunning display of wrestling ability against a four-time NAIA All-American. The bout would also be the start of ongoing questions about the Dagestan natives ability to make the 155 pound limit. Khabib weighed in at 158.5 pounds and the bout was contested under catch weight rules. His weight is a point of interest that has followed him since.

UFC 170 was to be Khabib’s true break out moment. Scheduled against perennial contender Gilbert Melendez only for the bout to never Materialize. Nate Diaz was muted to step in and fill in for his Cesar Gracie stablemate but elected to give a wide birth to the surging Russian. A decision that incensed the normally cold Nurmagomedov. He would eventually be booked to take on fellow contender Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on Fox. Normal service resumed once the opening bell rang he once again steamrolled his opposition using his much-famed grappling ability. Dos Anjos would go on to win the 155 pound title just 11 months later while Khabib would spend the next 2 years on the side-lines.

Post RDA, a persistent knee injury saw him pull out of bouts with Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson. The Ferguson/Khabib fight never making the octagon would be a recurring theme for various reasons. Most famously at UFC 209 where Khabib was pulled during his weight days after being shown eating Tiramisu on the events embedded series.

Nurmagomedov’s return bout was again booked to be opposite El Cucuy. 11 days out from the UFC on Fox event, Khabib was left without an opponent with a lung injury forcing Ferguson this time out of the fight. The lightweight division again robbed of one of its marquee match ups. Relative unknown Darrell Horcher stood up to the call to face one of the most feared fighters on the planet. Despite showing admirable levels of heart throughout the contest, Horcher joined the ever-growing list of fighters who had tried and failed to keep themselves horizontal. It was a much-expected victory that did little to progress Khabib towards a championship opportunity.

Striking specialists Michael Johnson and Edson Barboza stood before Khabib over his next two bouts but were ultimately drowned in the deep waters of Dagestani wrestling. A Johnson uppercut that looked to momentarily wobble the legs and a Barboza wheel kick the hardened Russian walked straight through were celebrated as the first real chinks in the amour. His striking ability at the top level questioned. Both fighters minor successes were dwindling and they were left on the ground gasping for air as Nurmagomedov reigned down in empathetic fashion.

Championship opportunity could no longer be denied and Khabib’s title History now has it’s first chapter. The belt eventually picked up against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 after much publicized Tony Ferguson (Sunglass gate) and Max Holloway (weight gate) pull outs.

Only one man stands in his way of true greatness. Can Khabib fulfil his destiny in becoming the greatest fighter on the planet or will the brash Irishman known as the Notorious one end the longest winning streak in MMA. At UFC 229, we will find out.