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What does Tony Ferguson (or anyone else for that matter) need to do in order to win a fight with Khabib? What are the specific techniques and tactics required to defeat him? I don't mean generic observations like 'avoid the takedown' or 'knock him out while on the feet'. These are all perfectly valid points, but the *how* is what concerns me here. What specifically should be done, and how?
I realise of course that actually *executing* a plan is infinitely more difficult in practice. Khabib is arguably the best P4P fighter in the game at the moment, utterly dominant, and undefeated. His grappling game is the deepest in the sport, seamlessly blending techniques from multiple varieties of wrestling, judo, sambo, and BJJ. His ground and pound is ferocious. Khabib's mastery of control positions is astonishing. His pressure is formidable. He uses the fighting environment expertly, specifically mostly getting takedowns against the cage so that he can trap opponents there while on the ground and prevent them from moving away as a prelude to smashing their heads in. His striking game on the feet is rudimentary but effective. What is most remarkable about Khabib - and personally I am no fan of the guy whatsoever, quite the opposite, I can't abide him - is that he has dominated the most heterogeneous division in the sport. If you can do that, crushing people who possess all manner of styles and techniques, for years on end, you are a special talent.
No fighter is unbeatable but I'm having trouble identifying the tactics required to defeat Khabib, and the how of actually delivering them.
I realise of course that actually *executing* a plan is infinitely more difficult in practice. Khabib is arguably the best P4P fighter in the game at the moment, utterly dominant, and undefeated. His grappling game is the deepest in the sport, seamlessly blending techniques from multiple varieties of wrestling, judo, sambo, and BJJ. His ground and pound is ferocious. Khabib's mastery of control positions is astonishing. His pressure is formidable. He uses the fighting environment expertly, specifically mostly getting takedowns against the cage so that he can trap opponents there while on the ground and prevent them from moving away as a prelude to smashing their heads in. His striking game on the feet is rudimentary but effective. What is most remarkable about Khabib - and personally I am no fan of the guy whatsoever, quite the opposite, I can't abide him - is that he has dominated the most heterogeneous division in the sport. If you can do that, crushing people who possess all manner of styles and techniques, for years on end, you are a special talent.
No fighter is unbeatable but I'm having trouble identifying the tactics required to defeat Khabib, and the how of actually delivering them.