Dagestani Striking

[BJJ4Tone]

I think for most people, when they hear or see "Dagestan", they think wrestling. And rightfully so, as Dagestan has produced some of the best freestyle wrestlers and MMA wrestlers of all-time. And definitely the highest concentration of all-time-great wrestlers, considering what a tiny area it is.

But I feel like more attention should be paid to Dagestani striking.
There are a lot of guys from Dagestan with above-average-to-elite striking.
Between Islam and Khabib, they out-struck Edson Barboza, Conor McGregor, Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski, all of whom are considered to be among the best strikers ever. (Sure, Khabib's striking was ugly as fuck, but it was very effective (largely because of the pressure he used and because of the constant threat of the takedown)).
But guys like Umar Nurmagomedov, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Muslim Salikhov, Magomed Ankalaev, Shara Bullet, etc. all have very good striking. Much better than the average UFC/Bellator fighter.
Usman Nurmagomedov has some of the best striking I've ever seen. His speed, timing, flexibility and insticts are unreal.

Is it time to change the narrative about what Dagestanis only being wrestlers?

TL;DR

 

[Randy Fandy Fo Fanders]

If they have a fabulous black beard and their last name ends in the letter V, I’m betting heavy on them to win. IDGAF.

 

[that Indian]

not MMA but check out Artur Beterbiev

 

[AmericanMMA]

idk about the standup, but the Interlocking Fish Smash potential is through the the goddamn roof with these guys

 

[Bushwhacker B]

I'd bet now rather than sambo guys tacking on striking later, guys there are being brought up to be well-rounded. I personally believe Islam is much better in his feet than Khabib ever was

 

[Frode Falch]

Russian martial arts have always had amazing striking. Complete with acrobatic kicks.

Just check out combat sambo and Russian military hand to hand

 

[Conan the K-9]

Yeah, maybe they should challenge Poatan next for a kickboxing match?

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

not MMA but check out Artur Beterbiev

Artur Beterbiev is elite.

There's another Russian, a Kazakhstani, named Gennady Golovkin, who not only is an elite fighter — but he has a top-tier elite chin as well.

 

[Tweak896]

I always thought it's unfair to judge someone for good striking when they out strike their opponents because of the takedown threat. If Khabib had better striking than Conor he would've just stood and dropped him. I don't knock them for it, but it's just a bad way to assess skills. Like didn't Chael outstrike Silva? Some of them have decent striking and yeah it's looked over, but I just think if some kid went to train and followed Khabib's striking tapes to learn from he wouldn't be able to be a good striker.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

I always thought it's unfair to judge someone for good striking when they out strike their opponents because of the takedown threat. If Khabib had better striking than Conor he would've just stood and dropped him. I don't knock them for it, but it's just a bad way to assess skills. Like didn't Chael outstrike Silva? Some of them have decent striking and yeah it's looked over, but I just think if some kid went to train and followed Khabib's striking tapes to learn from he wouldn't be able to be a good striker.

Khabib's striking was not elite, it was decent at best.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

not MMA but check out Artur Beterbiev

Waiting for him vs Bivol like...

 

[BJJ4Tone]

I always thought it's unfair to judge someone for good striking when they out strike their opponents because of the takedown threat. If Khabib had better striking than Conor he would've just stood and dropped him. I don't knock them for it, but it's just a bad way to assess skills. Like didn't Chael outstrike Silva? Some of them have decent striking and yeah it's looked over, but I just think if some kid went to train and followed Khabib's striking tapes to learn from he wouldn't be able to be a good striker.

Yeah, I don't mean to suggest that Khabib has better, more techincal striking than Conor... but he was more effective with his striking than Conor.
Which is still pretty darn impressive, I think.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

Khabib's striking was not elite, it was decent at best.

Right, not elite from a technical standpoint. But pretty elite from an effectiveness standpoint.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

Right, not elite from a technical standpoint. But pretty elite from an effectiveness standpoint.

Overall, Khabib = Elite ... but his striking is basically only "capable enough" to lure another striker into a striking match — from where Khabib will shoot and make a ground fight.

Even Khamzat Chimaev acknowledged Khabib is the best MMA wrestler/grappler in the game.

 

[LoveMyMMA]

Waiting for him vs Bivol like...

that’s the fight to make. Beterbiev is already old, although he’s a late bloomer and looks to have at least a few more years of his prime left.

 

[Tweak896]

Yeah, I don't mean to suggest that Khabib has better, more techincal striking than Conor... but he was more effective with his striking than Conor.
Which is still pretty darn impressive, I think.

I mean it's impressive his reputation for taking you down and that's not quantifiable. It's the fear of the takedown that limits his opponents so bad because they know everyone he fought was fucked after. That is impressive. The basics in striking he has really shouldn't impress many people. If you put khabib in boxing, bare knuckle, kickboxing, he just wouldn't be effective. So I think you sort of have to imagine putting those guys in stand up only sports and ask how they'd look.

 

[Sean Rhino]

Yeah, maybe they should challenge Poatan next for a kickboxing match?

Pereira turns a lot of great strikers in MMA in general into grapplers, so I'm not sure what your point is here.

Maybe OP is suggesting that many Dagestani fighters can strike really well, other than just grappling like many of their haters think, and you can't fathom the thought of it?

<Lmaoo>

 

[BJJ4Tone]

I mean it's impressive his reputation for taking you down and that's not quantifiable. It's the fear of the takedown that limits his opponents so bad because they know everyone he fought was fucked after. That is impressive. The basics in striking he has really shouldn't impress many people. If you put khabib in boxing, bare knuckle, kickboxing, he just wouldn't be effective. So I think you sort of have to imagine putting those guys in stand up only sports and ask how they'd look.

Umar and Usman have gorgeous striking and their transitions from striking to grappling are even better.
I think they are both the total package.
Not that Islam is not, but their striking is just so fluid and pretty. TKD style.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Umar and Usman have gorgeous striking and their transitions from striking to grappling are even better.
I think they are both the total package.
Not that Islam is not, but their striking is just so fluid and pretty. TKD style.

Amru Magomedov is another Eagles MMA guy to keep an eye out for who fights like that.

 

[Conan the K-9]

Pereira turns a lot of great strikers in MMA in general into grapplers, so I'm not sure what your point is here.

Maybe OP is suggesting that many Dagestani fighters can strike really well, other than just grappling like many of their haters think, and you can't fathom the thought of it?

<Lmaoo>

Maybe it’s you who should re-read the OP first post and then mine? It might open up better for you, or not…