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I can already pre-empt the hatred that will come my way over this post, but hey - bring it!
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a beast, there is no denying that.
He's a decent striker, with elite level grappling, accompanied with amazing cardio which allows that grappling to continue for the duration of a fight. He is relentless, and very much is well-suited to the Unified Rules of MMA.
My issue with Khabib is mainly his fans. Of course he talks a little smack every now and then to try and get fights, but that's his job. Sherdog is a hot-bed for people jumping on wagons, and I think his unbeaten 22-0 record is what makes most of you guys fans, and not his fighting style.
From what I see, he's a little boring. He's effective, but he's boring. I'm not about to go all "Just Bleed" and say I want rock em' sock em' robots every fight, but I don't think he destroys people the way people say. Look at the RDA fight, he did pretty much zero damage in 15 minutes, had great dominant control, but this isn't a Wrestling match, this is a fight.
His record is padded, there is no denying that. His Sambo accomplishments to me are difficult to rank because I don't really care about Sambo, I don't know the rules, I don't watch it, and most of you don't either. The record has one very impressive name on it, Rafael dos Anjos.
Now don't get me wrong, the way he's dispatched some of the UFC talent has been nice. I just don't think that it'd be that hard for Ferguson, Pettis, Cerrone or Henderson to beat those guys, RDA is the only stand-out name.
RDA was a 3 round fight, and Khabib won all 3 rounds according to all 3 judges. I have no problem with that score, but I think an argument could be made for RDA winning round 1, either way he lost!
Now lie to my face and tell me you'd still pick Khabib over Rafael now? We all know Rafael is better now, much, much better and Khabib hasn't fought in 2 years and due to serious injuries. Could KN win? sure, but favorite? I doubt it.
I don't hate Khabib, I respect Khabib, I just think we need to slow the party bus down and see if he can consistently beat top level competition, especially after these recent injuries.
Thoughts?
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a beast, there is no denying that.
He's a decent striker, with elite level grappling, accompanied with amazing cardio which allows that grappling to continue for the duration of a fight. He is relentless, and very much is well-suited to the Unified Rules of MMA.
My issue with Khabib is mainly his fans. Of course he talks a little smack every now and then to try and get fights, but that's his job. Sherdog is a hot-bed for people jumping on wagons, and I think his unbeaten 22-0 record is what makes most of you guys fans, and not his fighting style.
From what I see, he's a little boring. He's effective, but he's boring. I'm not about to go all "Just Bleed" and say I want rock em' sock em' robots every fight, but I don't think he destroys people the way people say. Look at the RDA fight, he did pretty much zero damage in 15 minutes, had great dominant control, but this isn't a Wrestling match, this is a fight.
His record is padded, there is no denying that. His Sambo accomplishments to me are difficult to rank because I don't really care about Sambo, I don't know the rules, I don't watch it, and most of you don't either. The record has one very impressive name on it, Rafael dos Anjos.
Now don't get me wrong, the way he's dispatched some of the UFC talent has been nice. I just don't think that it'd be that hard for Ferguson, Pettis, Cerrone or Henderson to beat those guys, RDA is the only stand-out name.
RDA was a 3 round fight, and Khabib won all 3 rounds according to all 3 judges. I have no problem with that score, but I think an argument could be made for RDA winning round 1, either way he lost!
Now lie to my face and tell me you'd still pick Khabib over Rafael now? We all know Rafael is better now, much, much better and Khabib hasn't fought in 2 years and due to serious injuries. Could KN win? sure, but favorite? I doubt it.
I don't hate Khabib, I respect Khabib, I just think we need to slow the party bus down and see if he can consistently beat top level competition, especially after these recent injuries.
Thoughts?
