Is Khabibs wrestling so extraordinary?

[kabanos]

I need to admit I am not so into the ground game. Sure I watch mma long enough to be able to say he is pretty fucking good. I never grappled a lot since I just don't like it.

I went today at the gym to the grappling area to talk with some colleagues after the Xmas and new year break and they were all ready, really excited about Khabib.

So is he's wrestling so special, or just great, but overhyped?

 

[jojoRed]

His grappling isnt good or even great, its generational. He maintains positions with incredible strength and conditioning. He is akin to the ground drowning you. Imo he is the best grappler in MMA today, certainly most effective.

 

[JC ATOM]

you got us!
We were all just kidding you.

 

[BoD 2.0]

The way he's able to control his opponent, while relentlessly beating them, is pretty insane. He's an animal. You see alot of guys that can control guys, and sneak in some GnP, and then other guys who will GnP but leave openings for the opponent to escape, but not too many people that do both with such high intensity.

 

[bobgeese]

Scary good.

 

[Ares Black]

I have been watching MMA for almost 25 years, and he is one of the best I have ever seen.

 

[Final Say]

The way he's able to control his opponent, while relentlessly beating them, is pretty insane. He's an animal. You see alot of guys that can control guys, and sneak in some GnP, and then other guys who will GnP but leave openings for the opponent to escape, but not too many people that do both with such high intensity.

Its hard to watch, especially considering hes not a finisher, at least not a quick one. Guys just take their punishment.

 

[Towelie by TKO]

I think Chael explains it well:

 

[PerpetualWB]

25-0 should tell you all you need to know.

What makes him so good is that he doesn't need to be on top of you on the ground to dominate. As soon as he's in clinch range, it just seems inevitable he's going to dominate his opponent. While there is a theoretical way to beat him by avoiding that range, it remains to be seen whether anyone can stop him from having his way. It would be difficult to bet against him.

 

[FacePunch]

He's basically High Tide. You know it's coming and you know what it's going to look like, but it's still going to knock down your fucking sandcastle every goddamn time, because it's a force of nature and your sandcastle is just a bitchass little sandcastle.

 

[OnMcGregorNutz]

bro, the guy wrestles bears, with his bear hands.

don't question allah

 

[galleryy]

Scary good.

exciting good.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

don't listen to me. watch these videos. judge their opinions based on their careers and knowledge, not my opinion based on .... well, you don't know shit about me.

enjoy.

 

[TheRassler]

Tailor made opponents, overrated wrestling and GNP.

 

[SpedDaddyV]

no

his wrestling is average

but he is exceptionally strong (think Nogeuira) for his weight class and his grappling is unorthodox and his overall pressure is on another level (think Diaz brother on the feet) and he just absolutely punishes you on the ground like no other

Tito Ortiz (or Mark Coleman) were considered the godfather of ground and pound, but Khabib literally beats the fuck out of you on the ground and transitions back and forth into a position just so he can continuously punish you

the opponents constantly have to worry about taking damage and pressure, if they are lucky enough to get back to their feet, they immediately are concerned about the pressure. he can also sense vulnerability to latch on a submission while the opponent is taking punishment like no one else... whereas submission gurus like Damien Maia seem to solely look to transition to lock in a submission... Khabib beats the fuck out of you for the submission opportunity

the first stages of the match is when Khabib is his most vulernable, because the opponent has not engaged or felt the pressure yet, and Khabib hasn't yet controlled the pace of the match or closed the distance

but overall his pure wrestling isnt anything exceptional and can be stuffed

in fact, I would like to see an american wrestler with good jiu jitsu have the balls to take him down and see how he fights off his back...

A healthy Kevin Lee could be the best match up for him believe it or not in the division. Bias aside, Conor McGregor gets tossed around and mauled on the ground by Khabib and this match will never ever happen, and I think Tony Ferguson also gets handled easily in a few rounds unless he can somehow pull off a triangle choke hail mary or something off his back.

Kevin Lee vs. Khabib is the most compelling fight to me