Khabib has never fought someone that would legit try to take him down

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Ted Williams' head

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Sep 23, 2015
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When you look at Khabib's UFC career, there are some solid names on his resume.

But I couldn't help but notice he's been primarily in striker vs grappler match ups, against opponents who would prefer to stand. Iaquinta, MJ, Barboza, RDA, Trujillo, Tavares, etc etc. Even Tony Ferguson is primarily known as a striker, and would have likely tried to keep it standing. Conor obviously would try to bang with Khabib

It makes me wonder how Khabib would fair against a guy like Kevin Lee, or even an Eddie Alvarez who can strike but can also wrestle and grind out decisions. Is Khabib the best wrestler at 155, or would he get out wrestled by a Kevin Lee?

As mentioned in another thread, I think Justin Gaetchje would also be an interesting fight - a guy who has been very successful using his wrestling in reverse.
 

ECC170

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Tavares is a black belt grappler that had a great fight vs ortega and subbed guida easily...RDA Is a very good grappler and black belt...Kevin Lee couldn't take Al down hardly.. there's nobody at 155 that can out wrestle him just being honest..if 3x ncaa champion world class wrestler Ed Ruth is getting his ass handed to him by khabib good luck 155ers..There's a elite wrestler that nobody's brought up to fight khabib that has better wrestling than anybody besides khabib..but he's too small imho and that's Gregor gillespie..4x D1 all American ncaa champion..if he can't out wrestle khabib nobody will.
 
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Ted Williams' head

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Tavares is a black belt grappler that had a great fight vs ortega and subbed guida easily...RDA Is a very good grappler and black belt...Kevin Lee couldn't take Al down hardly.. there's nobody at 155 that can out wrestle him just being honest..if 3x ncaa champion world class wrestler Ed Ruth is getting his ass handed to him by khabib good luck 155ers..There's a elite wrestler that nobody's brought up to fight khabib that has better wrestling than anybody besides khabib..but he's too small imho and that's Gregor gillespie..4x D1 all American ncaa champion..if he can't out wrestle khabib nobody will.
You could be right. Either way, I would love to see Khabib matched up with an Eddie Alvarez... someone who can mix it up and also be keen to shoot for a take down if the opportunity presented itself.
 

RaginCajun

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I don't get this strategy from the Conor fans. How does lower Khalab raise Conor?
 

Ted Williams' head

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I don't get this strategy from the Conor fans. How does lower Khalab raise Conor?
Not trying to take down or raise up anyone TBH.

It's just we have a champion who is largely a question mark. We know he can wrestle, we know he can grapple. We know he can hold guys down and beat them up.

The question is, what happens when he runs into a world class guy who he can't take down? What happens if he runs into a guy that can take him down? How will he do off his back? He had a pretty easy path to the title.

I'm a big boxing fan and I've noticed that boxing fans are much more skeptical than MMA fans, largely because they've seen so many hype jobs come and go. Deontay Wilder is 40-0 with 39 KOs, and people still look at him and say "well what if this happens" or "what if he comes up against this".

MMA fans just seem to see a guy (or girl like Ronda) winning and just assume it's going to continue forever. They can't seem to picture someone losing who hasn't lost before.
 

Rambo John J

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I don't get this strategy from the Conor fans. How does lower Khalab raise Conor?
cause he doesn't fight...so all conor and his fans can do to make themselves feel good it is talk shit and throw shit

some modern "MMA fans" are a total and complete joke


 

Rambo John J

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Not trying to take down or raise up anyone TBH.

It's just we have a champion who is largely a question mark. We know he can wrestle, we know he can grapple. We know he can hold guys down and beat them up.

The question is, what happens when he runs into a world class guy who he can't take down? What happens if he runs into a guy that can take him down? How will he do off his back? He had a pretty easy path to the title.

I'm a big boxing fan and I've noticed that boxing fans are much more skeptical than MMA fans, largely because they've seen so many hype jobs come and go. Deontay Wilder is 40-0 with 39 KOs, and people still look at him and say "well what if this happens" or "what if he comes up against this".

MMA fans just seem to see a guy (or girl like Ronda) winning and just assume it's going to continue forever. They can't seem to picture someone losing who hasn't lost before.
Nobody wins forever in MMA...Nobody...MMA gods will always catch up to ya one way or another

26-0 is dang impressive and one of the best records ever for someone in a top Org
 

Ted Williams' head

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cause he doesn't fight...so all conor and his fans can do to make themselves feel good it is talk shit and throw shit

some modern "MMA fans" are a total and complete joke
I think it's funny you whine about others trolling and saying they're keeping people from joining this forum, but you come into threads with insults and GIFs of Conor losing trying to rile me up. Which it doesn't - Conor got whipped and choked the fuck out by Diaz, what, am I saying that didn't happen? lol smh

Both you and the guy above are talking about Conor in a thread where he wasn't even mentioned.
 

Ted Williams' head

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26-0 is dang impressive and one of the best records ever for someone in a top Org
You call other MMA fans a joke, but you're gushing over a pretty record.

It's not about the quantity, it's about the quality.

Thomas Almeida was 20-0 or something like that not too long ago.
 

Rambo John J

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I think it's funny you whine about others trolling and saying they're keeping people from joining this forum, but you come into threads with insults and GIFs of Conor losing trying to rile me up. Which it doesn't - Conor got whipped and choked the fuck out by Diaz, what, am I saying that didn't happen? lol smh

Both you and the guy above are talking about Conor in a thread where he wasn't even mentioned.
you engaged in conor talk with ragin Cajun....I joined in...and your avatar certainly makes it seem as if you are talking about conor even when you aren't mentioning him by name

I am not referring to you specifically when I mention his fans, but the amount of trolling on MMA boards by conor fans is at an all time high

I don't really care about the trolling anymore, troll away...but don't get mad if your thread turns to troll fest...I am not trying to get you riled up, I just assume conor fans already are riled up.

No hard feelings dude, take care
 

Rambo John J

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You call other MMA fans a joke, but you're gushing over a pretty record.

It's not about the quantity, it's about the quality.

Thomas Almeida was 20-0 or something like that not too long ago.
26-0 deserves respect
20-0 deserves respect
Conor deserves respect for his amazing KOs and victories

They have all earned respect

Have you fought? If not then I don't get the downplaying of fighters with good records....Khabib has not even been tested yet even though he has fought some very good competition

And FYI I agree with nearly all of your opening post...just posted a response to a question from a forum member and added gifs...Staying on topic is not this forums strong suit as you know

My second post agreed with your post about fans not seeing the possibility of a undefeated fighter losing...although comparing Ronda and Khabib is a bit odd IMO...WMMA is so shallow and young compared to the deep and established division Khabib is tearing up

I also want to see some of the matchups in khabibs future...interesting stylistic matches for sure
 

tang

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I guess he wasn't ever matched up against a good wrestler in a sanctioned fight but other coaches and fighters praise he's wrestling abilities vs other high-level wrestlers and he follows through by showing his domination in real fights.

Firas Zahabi mentioned in his post-fight Q&A, he saw Khabib and DC wrestling and how scary it was to watch Khabib handle DC
 

Ted Williams' head

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Have you fought? If not then I don't get the downplaying of fighters with good records....Khabib has not even been tested yet even though he has fought some very good competition
I would think anyone who follows this sport (or any sport for that matter) looks at it analytically. We all evaluate the quality of fighters every day. I don't know what that has to do with fighting or not.

If I tell you Rashad Evans is p4p better than Mighty Mouse and you say no he isn't, you're engaging in evaluation of a fighter - no different than what I just did.

So do you need to have fought for you to tell me that Mighty Mouse is p4p a better fight than Rashad Evans? That's silly.
 

Rambo John J

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I would think anyone who follows this sport (or any sport for that matter) looks at it analytically. We all evaluate the quality of fighters every day. I don't know what that has to do with fighting or not.

If I tell you Rashad Evans is p4p better than Mighty Mouse and you say no he isn't, you're engaging in evaluation of a fighter - no different than what I just did.

So do you need to have fought for you to tell me that Mighty Mouse is p4p a better fight than Rashad Evans? That's silly.
I only question diminishing the accomplishments and records of Pro Fighters.
 

madmav

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khabib and dc are on the same team.. zahabi is from another team.. not hard to see dc slow playing with khabib to make him look better.. besides all this talk is about them rolling/wrestling .. not striking.. dc would crush khabib if that was the case
 

ShakaSway

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Part of the beauty of Khabib’s game. Just like Anderson’s striking and GSP’s wrestling, its appears its gotten to some of his opponents’ heads prior.

Michael Johnson, was able to stun Khabib for a moment, and was stuffing takedowns into round 3. Took a lot of damage, but was still able to stuff them. He never engaged based off how aggressively Khabib works for his game. Just constantly in offensive grapple mode. Not only that, he is a big 155’er. Got strength, technique, and weight against you if he gets ahold of you.

Which is why I was excited for the Max and Tony fights. Max could put him in trouble because of how he puts his combinations together. Khabib has show he is willing to take a shot, but what if you have the striking equivalent of what he does against him? Max is also very caculated. He doesn’t just stand and wang, makes you think it by saying “Lets go!” But he is throwing straights while his opponent is throwing haymakers. He strings solid strikes together, and dont think Khabib has faced that.

Tony is very active off his back, able to move between defense, sweeps, and offense very well. Make Khabib work just as hard as he makes his other opponents. Hopefully get one of those two match ups.
 

ender852

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When you look at Khabib's UFC career, there are some solid names on his resume.

But I couldn't help but notice he's been primarily in striker vs grappler match ups, against opponents who would prefer to stand. Iaquinta, MJ, Barboza, RDA, Trujillo, Tavares, etc etc. Even Tony Ferguson is primarily known as a striker, and would have likely tried to keep it standing. Conor obviously would try to bang with Khabib

It makes me wonder how Khabib would fair against a guy like Kevin Lee, or even an Eddie Alvarez who can strike but can also wrestle and grind out decisions. Is Khabib the best wrestler at 155, or would he get out wrestled by a Kevin Lee?

As mentioned in another thread, I think Justin Gaetchje would also be an interesting fight - a guy who has been very successful using his wrestling in reverse.
That's not true, he fought Gleison Tibau who not only stuffed every single one of Khabib's takedowns, but took Khabib down himself.
I think Nurmagomedov was gifted a decision in that fight and should have lost.
 

Rambo John J

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I've never researched it but I think he could based on that il baby fat he carries. Very good chance I'm wrong though.
some guys can't ditch the baby fat though...some guys have never been shredded and won't ever be

plus that might be why he has so much cardio for grinding... doesn't draw himself out
 

La Paix

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some guys can't ditch the baby fat though...some guys have never been shredded and won't ever be

plus that might be why he has so much cardio for grinding... doesn't draw himself out
I'll challenge you to post a picture of another WW with some chubs like Ben. I really can't think of any, even Hendricks had some cuts in his WW prime.