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Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest lightweight champions not just in the UFC but in all of MMA. He utilized his highly advanced Combat Sambo skills to take down, beat up, and submit his opponents. Most UFC fans and MMA analysts have praised 'The Eagle' for his aggressive style of grappling and have weighed down on why he is one of the best grapplers in MMA.
However, little is said about Khabib Nurmagomedov's striking, be it from the MMA experts or his fans. Even fighters with a high level of striking and an excellent takedown defense could not defeat Khabib. It only forces one to arrive at the conclusion that Khabib is a highly underrated striker.
On that note, let's look at five such instances when Khabib Nurmagomedov showed impressive striking skills inside the octagon.
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#5. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Thiago Tavares - UFC on FX 7
In his third fight in the UFC, Khabib Nurmgomedov fought Brazilian MMA fighter and UFC veteran Thiago Tavares. Despite having a three-inch height advantage, Khabib didn't have a longer reach and entered the bout as a fairly equal fighter.
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He started the first round on the back foot, giving Tavares the center of the octagon in an attempt to draw out his attacks. Extremely cautious but also ready with his guard up, Khabib Nurmagomedov was looking to dodge everything Thiago Tavares threw at him. The majority of the first minute saw both fighters size each other up, but Khabib soon started to throw hands. It looked like the Dagestani wrestler had come to strike, as he connected with a few well-timed one-two combinations in the first 90 seconds, often as a counter.
However, before the clock could hit the 2-minute mark, Khabib Nurmagomedov leaped in with a jab and a hook, instantly flooring Tavares. As the UFC veteran held on to the legs of 'The Eagle,' he landed nearly 20 more punches and elbows in ground-and-pound.
An absolutely defenseless Tavares forced referee Dan Miragliotta to pull Khabib away and call off the fight at the 1:55 mark. He heavily outstruck the Brazilian, landing 22 significant strikes with 71% accuracy in response to two at 20%. In doing so, 'The Eagle' earned the seventh knockout win of his MMA career, proving to be much more than a wrestler.
#4. Khabib Nurmaogomedov vs Darrel Horcher - UFC on Fox 19
Khabib Nurmagomedov TKO'd Darrel Horcher in 2016 in round two of their fight. 'The Eagle' displayed impressive boxing fundamentals, maintaining a safe distance from Horcher, staying light on his feet, and completely moving out of the way when pressed. He outstruck Horcher massively, landing 107 strikes with 77% accuracy.
The fight started with Khabib Nurmagomedov trying to stay away from Horcher, sizing him up and feinting with his shots. As he got a little more warmed up, Khabib started kicking and slipping inside with combinations. Making his opponent cautious of the strikes, Khabib set him up for a well-timed takedown, both in rounds one and two.
It was the takedowns that eventually caused Darrel Horcher's defeat. Even with a top position, Khabib Nurmagomedov chose to strike. He landed several blows on 'The Saint' and forced referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.
#3. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Al Iaquinta - UFC 223
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Al Iaquinta went to war at UFC 223 for the vacant UFC lightweight title. The five-round fight was action-packed, with Khabib dominating 'Raging Al' for the majority of the bout. While 'The Eagle' had six successful takedowns that helped him outstrike Iaquinta 172-43, there were several moments where the Russian displayed his striking prowess.
Khabib was in active pursuit of taking down Iaquinta for most of the fight. However, with Iaquinta scrambling off Khabib, 'The Eagle' was forced to mix it up and strike. In round three, Khabib Nurmagomedov displayed an excellent striking game with repeated jabs and one-two combos landing on Al Iaquinta's bleeding face.
While Khabib Nurmegomedov was getting clipped by Al Iaquinta every now and then, he kept pressing. The last three rounds of the bout saw Khabib exchange punches and kicks with Iaquinta, with the latter stuffing the Dagestani wrestler's takedowns.
With his grappling failing him in the later rounds of a fight that could have gone either way, Khabib dominated Iaquinta. He proved that he deserved to be the UFC lightweight champion, and he has his striking to thank for it.
#2. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor - UFC 229
In defeating one of the best strikers in MMA, Khabib Nurmagomedov proved how underrated he was as a striker. At UFC 229, Khabib faced the biggest rival of his career, Conor McGregor. He heavily outstruck 'Notorious' before submitting him in round four via neck crank.
While a good percentage of his 70 significant strikes landed in ground-and-pound, Khabib shocked the world when he chose to trade blows with McGregor in stand-up. The exact moment where 'The Eagle' impressed fight fans with his striking was when his right overhand stunned McGregor and caused him to trip early in round two.
Khabib Nurmagomedov landed a higher volume of strikes on Conor McGregor and didn't just out grapple the Irishman but also beat him in his own game.
#1. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje - UFC 254
In his last fight before retiring as the undisputed and undefeated UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov took on one of the most lethal strikers in the promotion. Khabib submitted Justin Gaethje early in round two but engaged on his feet for most of the fight.
While 'The Eagle' did not outstrike Justin Gaethje as such, he traded blows with him with utmost confidence. Khabib Nurmagomedov also nullified Gaethje's vicious leg kicks by pressing him and putting him on his heels. In the process, he landed 26 significant strikes on 'The Highlight,' including a number of punishing body kicks, beautiful jabs, and one-two combos.
It was only in the dying seconds of round one that Khabib Nurmagomedov took Gaethje down with a double-leg.
Khabib wrapped up the affair early in round two after a few more exchanges that caused 'The Highlight' to start bleeding. He submitted Gaethje via triangle choke, defending his belt for the third and last time.
