Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to the octagon to take on Justin Gaethje in a title unification bout for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 254. It will be Khabib’s third title defense after spectacular victories over Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Justin Gaethje is touted as the toughest challenge for Khabib Nurmagomedov mostly due to his wrestling credibility.
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Justin Gaethje is a Division I wrestler, and many fights fans believe that he can answer Khabib’s grappling. Gaethje’s wrestling prowess has never been seen inside the UFC octagon. He has had impressive striking battles with some of the best fighters in UFC. While he has shown ground game during his time with WSOF, Justin Gaethje has been a dominant striker throughout his MMA career. Gaethje is a solid striker with credible knockout power in his hands. It will be interesting to see Khabib Nurmagomedov take on one of the most fiercest strikers in the history of the UFC Lightweight division, who has an equally brilliant wrestling pedigree to complement his fighting style.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals why he is not like other wrestlers
There have been many wrestlers throughout the history of UFC. However, none have been as dominant as Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani wrestler as toppled some of the most fiercest strikers and few of the most prominent names in the history of MMA. With notable victories over former Champion Conor McGregor, Rafael dos Anjos, Dustin Poirier, and Al Iaquinta, Khabib Nurmagomedov will go down as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
While talking to Real Quick with Mike Swick podcast, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed what makes him different from other fighters. He talked about wrestling, and how he is an equally efficient striker.
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“I am not like other wrestling guys like trying to takedown you a couple of time and you become tired and striking and I am gonna beat you. I am not like this. I am a little bit different you know. If I cannot take you down, I am gonna keep going. If I try taking him down one time, his defense good, it’s okay. I am gonna take him down like 100 times, I am gonna try, try, try, pressure, try, hard punch, boxing, wrestling, boxing. This is not a secret. I am going to take him down. My plan will work like always. It doesn’t matter who is my opponent, my plan is to break my opponent.”