Deconstructing MMA Myths... [Part 13.1] - Khabib´s Eastern European Career

I agree. I'm just using the same logic he applied to Mayweather Castillo 1 that in a rematch the better fighter can prove the first fight doesn't count. That's insane.
This is the No Rush logic here...

2 fights, 2 nights... 2 different situations, both legit.
 
Today :

The evolution of Khabib´s Eastern European Career, btw 2008 & 2011.

Myth 1: Khabib was protected & only fought cans.
Myth 2: He was dominant & 'undefeated'.



Note: this thread can be seen as an extension of these ones:

http://forums.sherdog.com/threads/deconstructing-mma-myths-part-8.3822123/

http://forums.sherdog.com/threads/deconstructing-mma-myths-part-11.3827221/

Important:
The term 'Can' is an uneasy one, often misused in the MMA World.
The way I see it, it´s a matter of perspective, and one should bears in mind that a MMA career highly depends on timing, markets & opportunities.

Thus, my analysis here will only be about skillset & technical sequences during these 16 fights, to determine whether these fighters were mismatches or not, in this progressive non-UFC career.

Context:
> btw Fight 1 & 4: @ LW
> btw Fight 5 & 6: @ WW
> btw Fight 7 & 8: @ LW
> btw Fight 9 & 16: @ WW

Total = 6 fights @ LW / 10 fights @ WW.

Opponents = 9 Russians - 2 Ukrainians - 2 Azerbaijanis - 1 Belarusian - 1 Armenian - 1 Brazilian

...which shows a certain homogeneous MMA 'universe' when it comes to skillsets...

CHRONOLOGY :

1/ vs Vusal Bayramov :

Bayramov showcased some good leg kicks.
But Khabib got the easy TD, then easy mount & slick transition to a triangle choke.

Verdict: Bayramov schooled on the ground.


2/ vs. Magomed Magomedov :


Magomedov was 3-6 btw 2003 & 2014.
But...A striker [kickboxer] with legit submission arsenal: interesting skillset, reminds me a lil bit of a [less complete] Amar Suloev.
Unfortunately, obviously didnt get the right opportunities during his career.

Magomedov outclassed Khabib on the feet, but remained tentative because of the TD threat.
Khabib got easy single-leg TDs during this fight.
Magomedov showcased good body kicks, good jabz.
Khabib : brief armbar attempt, shaken off.
Magomedov : uneasy legit armbar attempt on a transition.
Khabib: brief side control, good knees,
Magomedov: could have gotten side control but not interested. Showcased good GNP

Note: Fight Configuration:
The Referee [org: Pankration Atrium Cup] was a huge fan of the stand-up rule...(even when Khabib had side control... but seems Russian fighters were accustomed to this, since no whining from Khabib)



Verdict : tough fight to score, depends on your MMA 'ideology',
but imo Magomedov did more damage and had more legit submission attempts.

> In my books, it´s Khabib´s 1st loss.



3/ vs Ramazan Kurbanismailov :

Kurbanismailov : striker,weak TDD, weak ground game

Verdict: mismatch, easy Khabib win. Kurbanismailov showed nuthin


4/ vs Shamil Abdulkerimov :

Abdulkerimov reversed Khabib and almost mounted him, but bad scramble.
Then Khabib got an easy mount, but surprisingly transitionned to side control...
Again: quick stand-up rule by the Ref.
Abdulkerimov: more of a striker, limited defensive ground game
Khabit gets side control, good knees to the body but stand-up rule again.
Good armbar attempt by Abdulkerimov.
Khabib then pulls a smooth transition to an eazy mount, but surprisingly lost it

Verdict: Khabib wins relatively easily


Welterweight debut.:

5/ vs Said Akhmed :

Khabib: easy single leg, easy side control, easy mount, efficient GNP

Verdict: easy Khabib win


6/ vs Eldar Eldarov :

> This is the only fight that I havent seen.

Right now, Eldarov´s MMA record: 8-1
He lost to Khabib via TKO (punches) in the 2nd Round.

I checked 2 of his recent fights:

Brave 1 Free Fight: Kevin Koldobsky vs Eldar Eldarov:
Eldarov showcased heavy hands, but is more of a grinder, not very tecnhical on the feet or on the ground

Brave 6 Free Fight: Henrique Rasputin vs Eldar Eldarov:
Eldarov showcased efficient GNP, with nasty elbows.

Eldarov seems talented, an accoomplished wrestler, more of a WW.
In his profile, Khabib describes him as a childhood friend (!), and his hero:
http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Khabib-Nurmagomedov

For sure, he´s potentially the readiest of this list for the UFC Fight Configuration, but Im definitely not impressed.

Return to Lightweight. :

7/ vs Shahbulat Shamhalaev :

1st time I see Khabib going more for TDs from body lock.
Khabib gets reversed though, but was a trap: transitions to armbar, but loses it.
Then fluid transition: from side control to full mount, then armbar

Verdict: Shamhalaev no match on the ground


8/ vs Oleg Bagov :

Strong Bagov in the clinch but limited & awkward striking.
Khabib almost taken down but saved by using the ropes.
Khabib gets the TD but fails to secure top control, is easily reversed
Bagov: telegraphed TDs,easily stuffed

Note: Fight Configuration:
headbutts allowed

Verdict: easy Khabib win.


Return to Welterweight. :

9/ vs Vitaliy Ostrovskiy :

Khabib showcases a lethal single leg, gets an easy full mount.
Transition: slick armbar attempt, unreal defence by Ostrovskiy,
but khabib still secures a dominant position, even a crucifix,

Verdict: complete domination, probably Khabib´s best performance ever


10/ vs Aleksandr Agafonov :

Agafonov : solid stand up, boxing, legit leg kicks. Interesting skillset, but limited defensive guard
Again, weird stand-up rule with Khabib in side control.
Then Khabib gets easily the side control, almost full mount.
Agafonov quit on his stool at the beginnin of the 3rd Rd



Verdict: Agafonov did more damage on the feet, but Khabib got easy TDs...
Still, Khabib actually did lil damage.
Could have been an interesting 3rd round, and final decision.



11/ vs Said Khalilov :

Khalilov: unimpressive stand-up, limited TDD.
Khalilov: 1st TD stuffed, but not the others.
Khabib: easy guard-passing, side control, kimura

Verdict: easy Khabib win


12/ vs Ashot Shahinyan :

Shahinyan: undersized & outstruck

Verdict: mismatch, waste of time in Khabib´s progression


13/ vs Kadzhik Abadzhyan :

Khabib countered by a right hook, almost dropped.
Khabib gets an easy TD, easy guard-passing, easy side control, almost crucifix.
Abadzhyan: seems to have a decent striking, jab, but hindered by TD threat
Then: Khabib getting an easy TD, full mount, slick armbar transition
Abadzhyan: unreal defence, tough, reverses Khabib
Khabib: transition to a slick triangle
Abadzhyan: defends once, not twice

Verdict: one of Khabib´s best performance ever


14/ vs Khamiz Mamedov :

Mamedov: chubby, undersized (btw looks like a Russian BJ)
Khabib: only body lock, works a lil bit, TD secured
Then: easy side control, almost transitions to full mount,
But Mamedov escapes.
Note: Khabib fails to snap the arm to get the armbar
Mamedov: outmuscled.
Khabib almost takes his back, but prefers to secure the TD, gets the full mount.
Then: decent transition from armbar to triangle choke

Verdict: one of Khabib´s best performances ever, but... step-down in competition


15/ vs Vadim Sandulitsky :

Khabib: easy single leg TD
Then: side control, but guillotine attempt from Sandulitsky.Shaken off.
Khabib gets the easy full mount.
Then: armbar attempt & quick transition to triangle choke, not really tight
But Sandulitsky gives up...

Verdict: one of Khabib´s best performances ever, but... step-down in competition again.


16/ vs Arymarcel Santos :

Santos (Carlson BJJ): showcases nice leg kicks.
Santos then shoots for the double-leg TD, almost gets it, but Khabib uses ropes = 1 point deducted
Khabib drops him with a good left upercut.
Santos: weak armbar & leglock attempts.
Khabib wins via GNP, efficient but not very technical GNP

Verdict: tough to say, since Khabib used the ropes to avoid the TD.
Santos on top could have been interesting...


CONCLUSION:

> Khabib = 15-1

> 6 Mismatches, 4 Easy Wins, 6 Tests.


Excellent investigation, very informative. But come no way in hell that he lost against Magomedov. Please rewatch the fight.
 
Khabib beat Oleg Bagov who's a multiple time Russian Combat Sambo champion, 3x Russian UWW Grappling champion, 2011 UWW World Grappling champion, 2013 World Combat Games gold medalist. He placed 3rd just this year alone at FIAS Russian Combat Sambo championships, all while he's an active MMA fighter with a high winstreak.

He beat Shahbulat Shamlaev, winner of the Bellator 2012 Featherweight Tournament, decorated in Sanda.

He beat Vadim Sandulsky, who's a multiple time Moldova Combat Sambo champ, decorated in Judo.

He beat Eldar Eldarov, his teammate and multiple time Russian Combat Sambo champ and World medalist. Now works as the national coach for MMA in Bahrain.

You literally cannot compare the athletes on the Russian MMA scene with the Irish-UK scenes. At least, the US has wrestling in highschool and college, Western Europe doesn't even have that. Those novices who get into MMA in Ireland and Britain are random BUMS who decided they want to fight as a hobby or they have a "shot" at it as a career because they saw it on TV and thought it was cool. In the US its about 50/50, but in Russia the vast majority of fighters getting into MMA have amateur credentials.
 
Excellent investigation, very informative. But come no way in hell that he lost against Magomedov. Please rewatch the fight.
I actually did rewatch it, Magomedov impressed me more, interesting skillset...
 
Indeed. In favor of Khabib, lmao.


The difference between Khabib-Tibau and Conor-Tibau fights is that one happened in reality, while the other - in your head. Lmao.


Sure you are.


oh stfu...he's been stopped by FAR lesser than double champs...Boner Stabbone
 
he's been stopped by FAR lesser than double champs
Styles make fights. A fighter with a skillset A might find it more difficult to beat a fighter with a skillset B compared to a fighter with a skillset C. Try following the sport of MMA for more than a couple of months and you'll understand this fact sooner or later. But it's OK, you can masturbate to Conor getting an imaginary win over Tibau. I'll stick to reality, lmao.
<Oku02>
 
Blatant musquotes should be automatic ban... not a, "fixed that for ya"...just straight attributing quotes...ugly...






Con-man Rd 1...phags
 
Styles make fights. A fighter with a skillset A might find it more difficult to beat a fighter with a skillset B compared to a fighter with a skillset C. Try following the sport of MMA for more than a couple of months and you'll understand this fact sooner or later. But it's OK, you can masturbate to Conor getting an imaginary win over Tibau. I'll stick to reality, lmao.
<Oku02>



OK...so long as we're in reality...one guy has dethroned 2 reigning champs with EASE...one guy got his "title" by beating the 11th ranked guy, by decision...you fookin' Foghat!
 
OK...so long as we're in reality...one guy has dethroned 2 reigning champs with EASE...one guy got his "title" by beating the 11th ranked guy, by decision...you fookin' Foghat!
And then ran away from title defenses like a chicken, lmao. But this is irrelevant, because they're fighting now and that's the only thing that matters.
 
Today :

The evolution of Khabib´s Eastern European Career, btw 2008 & 2011.

Myth 1: Khabib was protected & only fought cans.
Myth 2: He was dominant & 'undefeated'.



Note: this thread can be seen as an extension of this one:

http://forums.sherdog.com/threads/deconstructing-mma-myths-part-8.3822123/

Important:
The term 'Can' is an uneasy one, often misused in the MMA World.
The way I see it, it´s a matter of perspective, and one should bears in mind that a MMA career highly depends on timing, markets & opportunities.

Thus, my analysis here will only be about skillset & technical sequences during these 16 fights, to determine whether these fighters were mismatches or not, in this progressive non-UFC career.

Context:
> btw Fight 1 & 4: @ LW
> btw Fight 5 & 6: @ WW
> btw Fight 7 & 8: @ LW
> btw Fight 9 & 16: @ WW

Total = 6 fights @ LW / 10 fights @ WW.

Opponents = 9 Russians - 2 Ukrainians - 2 Azerbaijanis - 1 Belarusian - 1 Armenian - 1 Brazilian

...which shows a certain homogeneous MMA 'universe' when it comes to skillsets...

CHRONOLOGY :

1/ vs Vusal Bayramov :

Bayramov showcased some good leg kicks.
But Khabib got the easy TD, then easy mount & slick transition to a triangle choke.

Verdict: Bayramov schooled on the ground.


2/ vs. Magomed Magomedov :


Magomedov was 3-6 btw 2003 & 2014.
But...A striker [kickboxer] with legit submission arsenal: interesting skillset, reminds me a lil bit of a [less complete] Amar Suloev.
Unfortunately, obviously didnt get the right opportunities during his career.

Magomedov outclassed Khabib on the feet, but remained tentative because of the TD threat.
Khabib got easy single-leg TDs during this fight.
Magomedov showcased good body kicks, good jabz.
Khabib : brief armbar attempt, shaken off.
Magomedov : uneasy legit armbar attempt on a transition.
Khabib: brief side control, good knees,
Magomedov: could have gotten side control but not interested. Showcased good GNP

Note: Fight Configuration:
The Referee [org: Pankration Atrium Cup] was a huge fan of the stand-up rule...(even when Khabib had side control... but seems Russian fighters were accustomed to this, since no whining from Khabib)



Verdict : tough fight to score, depends on your MMA 'ideology',
but imo Magomedov did more damage and had more legit submission attempts.

> In my books, it´s Khabib´s 1st loss.



3/ vs Ramazan Kurbanismailov :

Kurbanismailov : striker,weak TDD, weak ground game

Verdict: mismatch, easy Khabib win. Kurbanismailov showed nuthin


4/ vs Shamil Abdulkerimov :

Abdulkerimov reversed Khabib and almost mounted him, but bad scramble.
Then Khabib got an easy mount, but surprisingly transitionned to side control...
Again: quick stand-up rule by the Ref.
Abdulkerimov: more of a striker, limited defensive ground game
Khabit gets side control, good knees to the body but stand-up rule again.
Good armbar attempt by Abdulkerimov.
Khabib then pulls a smooth transition to an eazy mount, but surprisingly lost it

Verdict: Khabib wins relatively easily


Welterweight debut.:

5/ vs Said Akhmed :

Khabib: easy single leg, easy side control, easy mount, efficient GNP

Verdict: easy Khabib win


6/ vs Eldar Eldarov :

> This is the only fight that I havent seen.

Right now, Eldarov´s MMA record: 8-1
He lost to Khabib via TKO (punches) in the 2nd Round.

I checked 2 of his recent fights:

Brave 1 Free Fight: Kevin Koldobsky vs Eldar Eldarov:
Eldarov showcased heavy hands, but is more of a grinder, not very tecnhical on the feet or on the ground

Brave 6 Free Fight: Henrique Rasputin vs Eldar Eldarov:
Eldarov showcased efficient GNP, with nasty elbows.

Eldarov seems talented, an accoomplished wrestler, more of a WW.
In his profile, Khabib describes him as a childhood friend (!), and his hero:
http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Khabib-Nurmagomedov

For sure, he´s potentially the readiest of this list for the UFC Fight Configuration, but Im definitely not impressed.

Return to Lightweight. :

7/ vs Shahbulat Shamhalaev :

1st time I see Khabib going more for TDs from body lock.
Khabib gets reversed though, but was a trap: transitions to armbar, but loses it.
Then fluid transition: from side control to full mount, then armbar

Verdict: Shamhalaev no match on the ground


8/ vs Oleg Bagov :

Strong Bagov in the clinch but limited & awkward striking.
Khabib almost taken down but saved by using the ropes.
Khabib gets the TD but fails to secure top control, is easily reversed
Bagov: telegraphed TDs,easily stuffed

Note: Fight Configuration:
headbutts allowed

Verdict: easy Khabib win.


Return to Welterweight. :

9/ vs Vitaliy Ostrovskiy :

Khabib showcases a lethal single leg, gets an easy full mount.
Transition: slick armbar attempt, unreal defence by Ostrovskiy,
but khabib still secures a dominant position, even a crucifix,

Verdict: complete domination, probably Khabib´s best performance ever


10/ vs Aleksandr Agafonov :

Agafonov : solid stand up, boxing, legit leg kicks. Interesting skillset, but limited defensive guard
Again, weird stand-up rule with Khabib in side control.
Then Khabib gets easily the side control, almost full mount.
Agafonov quit on his stool at the beginnin of the 3rd Rd



Verdict: Agafonov did more damage on the feet, but Khabib got easy TDs...
Still, Khabib actually did lil damage.
Could have been an interesting 3rd round, and final decision.



11/ vs Said Khalilov :

Khalilov: unimpressive stand-up, limited TDD.
Khalilov: 1st TD stuffed, but not the others.
Khabib: easy guard-passing, side control, kimura

Verdict: easy Khabib win


12/ vs Ashot Shahinyan :

Shahinyan: undersized & outstruck

Verdict: mismatch, waste of time in Khabib´s progression


13/ vs Kadzhik Abadzhyan :

Khabib countered by a right hook, almost dropped.
Khabib gets an easy TD, easy guard-passing, easy side control, almost crucifix.
Abadzhyan: seems to have a decent striking, jab, but hindered by TD threat
Then: Khabib getting an easy TD, full mount, slick armbar transition
Abadzhyan: unreal defence, tough, reverses Khabib
Khabib: transition to a slick triangle
Abadzhyan: defends once, not twice

Verdict: one of Khabib´s best performance ever


14/ vs Khamiz Mamedov :

Mamedov: chubby, undersized (btw looks like a Russian BJ)
Khabib: only body lock, works a lil bit, TD secured
Then: easy side control, almost transitions to full mount,
But Mamedov escapes.
Note: Khabib fails to snap the arm to get the armbar
Mamedov: outmuscled.
Khabib almost takes his back, but prefers to secure the TD, gets the full mount.
Then: decent transition from armbar to triangle choke

Verdict: one of Khabib´s best performances ever, but... step-down in competition


15/ vs Vadim Sandulitsky :

Khabib: easy single leg TD
Then: side control, but guillotine attempt from Sandulitsky.Shaken off.
Khabib gets the easy full mount.
Then: armbar attempt & quick transition to triangle choke, not really tight
But Sandulitsky gives up...

Verdict: one of Khabib´s best performances ever, but... step-down in competition again.


16/ vs Arymarcel Santos :

Santos (Carlson BJJ): showcases nice leg kicks.
Santos then shoots for the double-leg TD, almost gets it, but Khabib uses ropes = 1 point deducted
Khabib drops him with a good left upercut.
Santos: weak armbar & leglock attempts.
Khabib wins via GNP, efficient but not very technical GNP

Verdict: tough to say, since Khabib used the ropes to avoid the TD.
Santos on top could have been interesting...


CONCLUSION:

> Khabib = 15-1

> 6 Mismatches, 4 Easy Wins, 6 Tests.


<mma4>

So Khabib should be 24-2
 
gono btw is a treasure of the sherdog forums.
 
Hey TS this is great work and I appreciate you put in some work to give us a post worth reading.
 
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