via Getty
MAKHACHKALA, RUSSIA – OCTOBER 27, 2020: UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is welcomed at a city airport. Nurmagomedov defeated American mixed martial artist Justin Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2020, and then announced his retirement after 29 victories and no losses in his career. Press Office of the Head of the Republic of Dagestan/TASS THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Photo by Press Office of the Head of the TASS via Getty Images)
via Getty
MAKHACHKALA, RUSSIA – OCTOBER 27, 2020: UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is welcomed at a city airport. Nurmagomedov defeated American mixed martial artist Justin Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2020, and then announced his retirement after 29 victories and no losses in his career. Press Office of the Head of the Republic of Dagestan/TASS THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Photo by Press Office of the Head of the TASS via Getty Images)
Kamaru Usman is one of the most feared fighters in the history of the UFC. The welterweight star is one of the best grapplers in the promotion. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has out-grappled fighters like Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, and Colby Covington. However, fellow UFC fighter Belal Muhammad claims that Khabib Nurmagomedov can beat Usman.
‘The Eagle’ retired in 2020 with a perfect undefeated record of 29 wins and no losses in his entire MMA career. He was the lightweight champion and had three title defenses under his belt. Moreover, Nurmagomedov was inducted into the Hall of Fame after his retirement in 2022.
Belal Muhammad claims Khabib Nurmagomedov will win against Kamaru Usman
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Khabib Nurmagomedov is regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists of all time, with an excellent Sambo background. His former training partner, Belal Muhammad, recently hosted a ‘Q&A’ session for MMA and UFC fans on Reddit. During his interaction with the fans, he was asked about who he thought would win a fight between ‘The Eagle’ and Kamaru Usman. ‘Remember the Name’ was quick to reply and said, “Khabib.”
Kamaru Usman may be great at striking and grappling both. But the Russian was a different kind of fighter altogether. The UFC fans knew him for mauling his opponents inside the octagon. ‘The Eagle’ did that to all of his opponents. He used his wrestling and sambo skills to his advantage. Nurmagomedov was popular due to the fact that his opponents would never be able to stand up once the Dagestani legend has taken them down on the mat.
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Muhammad has always held the former lightweight champ in high regard. He mentions how he came across the UFC Hall of Famer on Reddit. ‘Remember the Name’ wrote, “I was in college for law and ended up seeing my old high school wrestling coach fighting in the news paper then I messaged him on Facebook ..he invited me to the gym and the rest was history.”
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Belal Muhammad once credited Khabib Nurmagomedov for his win at UFC Vegas 51 against Vicente Luque. ‘The Silent Assassin’ dominated Muhammad during the first meeting at UFC 205. ‘Remember The Name’ suffered a first-round knockout loss. However, he mentioned that training with ‘The Eagle’ helped him overcome Luque and defeat him in the second meet.
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However, despite all these comparisons, we will never get to see both Usman and Nurmagomedov inside the octagon anytime soon. We will have to wait and see if ‘The Eagle’ ever decides to come out of retirement for another run.
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