Media UFC newcomer Aaron Pico says Khabib and Islam aren't even in the top 50 of Dagestani wrestlers

[Doctor Grudge]

i mean yes, that is true. most good MMA wrestlers weren't world class. Khabib is nothing in the wrestling world.


That's why it is weird when people say elite wrestling translates to MMA. No, the best MMA-Wrestlers were good wrestlers, not elite ones. Just like the best kickboxers in MMA are generally not world champion caliber in the actual sport.


Most of the best MMA wrestlers from America also are usually not world class. Excellent college wrestlers usually, but there is a big difference between that and senior level wrestling.

 

[RichardHarrow]

It’s true. It’s a really stupid and pointless statement but it’s true nonetheless

I think he was just emphasizing how much better it could get for Dagestani grapplers and how far behind the rest of the world is ?

 

[World eater]

They are not top 5000 in Dagestani boxing and probably not in the top 1 million in rope skipping. Good thing they are at the top in mma.

 

[kingmob6]

look who they are wrestling for fun

 

[hector domino]

He is not wrong During DJ's blog on his training with Khabib there were Random people around that were actual decorated Olympic champions and medalists. Islam and Khabib would be atleast 3 levels below a monster like Sidakov. Not to mention the wrestling GOAT Abdul Rashid Sadulaev chilling around in dagestan. So pretty accurate that they are not in the top 50 wrestlers. Overall its a trend as Prophet Muhammad was also said to be a wrestler and so were Later Caliphs as wrestling was seen as something to keep you in fighting shape without doing major harm to the fellow competitor. So mostly in the Muslim world it was seen as a noble sport hence you see people like Hassan Yazdani and that Ahmed guy from Bahrain. Tbh I think If allowed females from muslim countries would also dominate the Olympics and they likely can double their medal count but their are quite a lot of restrictions on women overall in Islam

 

[Koala]

Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov is literally an Olympic silver medalist

 

[Coconutwater]

They are better fighters and would beat pure wrestlers in all scenarios except a pure wrestling competition.

I don't even think Pico was being disrespectful, there's a lot of fans out there that think Islam and Khabib are really good pure wrestlers. Anybody who really knows, knows they're excellent grapplers, which matters more in fighting obviously.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

What's next? Is he going to tell us Jon Jones isn't an Olympic caliber wrestler. Yeah, no shit.

 

[elreece]

He's not wrong.

And Aaron pico is one of the most credentialed wrestlers of all time in mma

If there's anyone who can speak on wrestling prowess, it's him.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

Well yeah. If they were they'd be on the Olympic team.

 

[BarbellzNbacon]

If you were at a Khabib picnic in Dagestan and an adult bear grabs your UFC Hot Dog Brander and runs off --

do you Rear Naked Choke or go Ground & Pound on the bear, to take back your Brander and gain the respect of the villagers?

You you distract it with a 50% off Reebok coupon and take what's rightfully yours. Nobody gets hurt. Win win.

 

[Kwic]

45 out of those 50 are adult bears.

 

[Alpha_T83]

This is not surprising considering they have dedicated a large amount of time to Sambo/MMA, and not pure wrestling.

But that doesn't mean that the top 50 Dagestani wrestlers (pound for pound) could beat Islam and Khabib in MMA.

 

[PaddyO'malley]

Definitely true yuh nuh need Olympic lvl wrestlin' in MMA mi yute Big Mac sprawl pon di whole Penn State team pon di frat party floor bro neva wrestle in him life in MMA jus haffi deny di entry den control di head wid ovahandz ez nuh even spill him drink undefeated 29-0 all KOs

 

[gracie_barra_samurai]

Pretty obvious.

Not everything from point fighting wrestling is effective in MMA, and certain habits will get you smashed. Just like sports BJJ has stuff that'll get you killed in MMA.

The hard part is making your wrestling and grappling work in MMA fights. Which Khabib and Islam mastered.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

He’s right you know

 

[Oscar Madison]

You you distract it with a 50% off Reebok coupon and take what's rightfully yours. Nobody gets hurt. Win win.

 

[cmw43]

I mean sure he might be right but what's his point exactly?

Anyways....

View attachment 1092130

Happens to everyone.

 

[rjmbrd]

And Aaron pico is one of the most credentialed wrestlers of all time in mma

This is hilariously not true.

 

[theincognito]

Their styles are not even wrestling but a blend of judo and wrestling.