What do Khabib Nurmagomedov and Fedor Emelianenko have in common? Aside from their Russian roots and dominance in MMA, they share a mastery of Sambo. A combat sport with Soviet origins, Sambo blends techniques from wrestling, judo, and other disciplines. But when discussing greatness in Sambo, two questions emerge: What defines “the best,” and who earns the crown as the practitioner who made its impact felt in the world of MMA?

Sambo’s history is as layered as its techniques. Born in the 1920s, it was the brainchild of Soviet pioneers Viktor Spiridonov and Vasili Oshchepkov. They crafted a discipline to empower Red Army soldiers, merging the best moves from judo, wrestling, and local fighting styles. Today, it stands as a bridge between tradition and evolution as some of the biggest names in MMA came from a sambo background. So, who stands tall as the ultimate Sambo warrior?

Who is the greatest Sambo fighter of all time? 

For many, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s name is synonymous with perfection. Undefeated in 29 professional MMA bouts, the Dagestani phenom was arguably the most dominant lightweight UFC champion. But before the Octagon, there was the mat, where ‘The Eagle’ sharpened his skills in combat sambo. A sport his father, the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, deeply revered.

His journey began in Makhachkala, Dagestan, where he trained under his father’s watchful eye. Wrestling at age 12, judo at 15, and sambo at 17. This meticulous preparation not only made him a world-class athlete but also helped him revolutionize MMA with his signature ground-and-pound style.

This training eventually led him to become a two-time world champion in combat Sambo. It’s important to note that ‘sport Sambo’ is a rule-based style predominantly revolving around throws and submissions, without any striking. On the other hand, ‘combat sambo’ is more brutal with striking, grappling, and even soccer kicks and head-butts!

Yet, Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t the only Dagestani to shine in sambo. Enter Islam Makhachev, his protégé, and the current UFC Lightweight Champion. Makhachev also started training at a young age but started off with taekwondo and then sanda. He then trained in freestyle wrestling for about a year but soon joined ‘The Eagle’s father Abdulmanap, and began his journey into mixed martial arts.

In 2014, he made his mark in the Russian National Combat Sambo Championship by winning the -74 kg division. A feat he would repeat in 2016 and which led him to qualify for the world championships. The crowning moment in his Sambo career came in the 2016 world championship where he would dominate Valentin Benishev of Bulgaria with a 7-0 thrashing.

As the current UFC Lightweight Champion, Makhachev continues to honor the principles of combat sambo in his fighting style. From his clinch work to his grappling transitions and throws, his matches are a textbook example of Sambo’s effectiveness in modern MMA.

The pioneers of Sambo in MMA before Khabib Nurmagomedov: Fedor Emelianenko and Oleg Taktarov

If Khabib Nurmagomedov represents modern Sambo greatness, Fedor Emelianenko is undoubtedly its timeless symbol. Known as ‘The Last Emperor’, Emelianenko was a force of nature in PRIDE, reigning as its heavyweight champion from 2003 to 2007. But his accolades in MMA only tell part of the story. A four-time combat Sambo world champion, his mastery of the sport was evident in every move he made.

Emelianenko began training in Judo and Sambo at 11. Under coach Vladimir Voronov, he developed an unmatched work ethic, a defining trait that would lead him to unmatched heights in his combat sports career. That grit saw him earn his Master of Sport certification in both Judo and Sambo in 1997.

Despite his reserved demeanor, ‘The Last Emperor’s fights were anything but subdued. Each bout was a symphony of skill and strategy, a testament to Sambo’s versatility. His Sambo-inspired ground control, devastating strikes, and lightning-fast submissions left opponents bewildered. Against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE 25 in 2003, Emelianenko’s Sambo skills were on full display as he battered the Brazilian to a unanimous decision and won the PRIDE heavyweight championship.

Another often-forgotten trailblazer is Oleg Taktarov, a pioneer of Sambo in the UFC. Nicknamed ‘The Russian Bear’, Taktarov won the UFC 6 tournament in 1995, becoming a symbol of Sambo’s efficacy in early MMA. A practitioner of both judo and sambo, he started his martial arts journey at 12 and later even became a hand-to-hand combat instructor for the Russian KGB (Committee for State Security).

Originally moving to America to pursue acting, Taktarov found himself drawn to the UFC, where he showcased Sambo’s power against formidable opponents like Tank Abbott and Mark Kerr. Taktarov’s legacy lies not just in his wins but in proving that Sambo could stand toe-to-toe with any fighting style.

So, is Khabib Nurmagomedov the greatest Sambo fighter of all time? It depends on your lens. If undefeated records and global fame define greatness, ‘The Eagle’ reigns supreme. But ‘The Last Emperor’s longevity and dominance in multiple arenas make his case equally compelling. What do you think? Let us know your picks for the greatest Sambo fighter in the comments below!