The world of combat sports is going bonkers over the idea of two MMA legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kayla Harrison going head-to-head! Wondering how this conversation even happened? In a recent interview with judo legend and coach Jimmy Pedro and Lex Fridman, the idea was thrown around. But who knew what the two-time Olympian was about to say, would spread like wildfire.

Pedro went on to make a bold prediction about the outcome if the former UFC lightweight champion and the two-time Olympic gold medalist faced off on the tatami! Pedro’s take is very clear. “I’d put my money on Kayla unless he’s [Khabib] at a really high level of judo.” He did not stop there, he went on to add, “If he’s not at that level of judo, a brown belt or not a high-level judo player, she will win.”

Pedro’s confidence in Harrison is justified considering her track record, which is nothing short of a gold rush. He went on to throw some light on her wins too. “I’ve seen her smash all of them in judo. She’s not going to do that to a Travis Stevens, she’s not going to do that to a senior national champion or Olympian in our sport. But she will go toe-to-toe with every other male black belt.” Interestingly, Pedro has coached both Kayla and three-time Olympic medalist Travis.

Khabib on the other hand, cannot be written off! He makes a formidable opponent with his grappling skills. He is also known to have previously expressed his respect for Judo. In an interview with Henry Cejudo, Khabib went on to say, “If I have a chance to take like Judo Olympic gold medal or freestyle? Please, put Judo. Yes, brother, I’m from Dagestan. I love freestyle wrestling, but Judo’s different level.”

Despite his infamous disdain for women in MMA, Khabib’s admiration is rooted in his homeland. He went on to add, “I am from Dagestan. Everybody, love. freestyle wrestling but judo. You have to… Okay. We talk about Dagestan. 3 million, but what about 7 billion? They love Judo. Judo is like different 176 countries compete in the Olympic Games. Freestyle wrestling? I think 54, 56.” But what adds another layer of intrigue and hint of possibility, is that Khabib in the past has shared a manager with Harrison. But when put face to face, who is more likely to win?

What do the Stats and History Have to Say About Kayla and Khabib?

When you can’t find the answers, sometimes it’s best to let history speak for itself. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kayla Harrison—two legends, each dominating their own arenas—are perfect examples of this. Khabib, the undefeated king of the UFC, walked away from the octagon as the lightweight champion, his unblemished record a testament to his unparalleled wrestling prowess. But there’s more to his story than just wrestling. Before he became the UFC’s juggernaut, Khabib plunged into the world of Judo, sharpening his skills in Dagestan under the intense training regimen orchestrated by his father. This transition from street fights to Judo didn’t just refine his technique; it added an entirely new dimension to his martial arts mastery, one that would eventually make him unbeatable.

On the flip side, Kayla Harrison’s journey through Judo is nothing short of a champion’s dream. With two Olympic gold medals—one from the 2012 London Games and another from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games—both in the 78 kg category, Harrison has already carved her name into the history books. But she didn’t stop there. Her collection of accolades includes two Pan American Games golds and an astonishing eight IJF Grand Prix gold medals. And now, Harrison is preparing to conquer a new frontier as she transitions to the UFC, setting her sights on the 135-pound weight class.

The comparison between these two giants of combat sports becomes even more fascinating when you consider the words of the legendary Pedro. He pointed out that Harrison’s ability to hold her own against top American male judoka is a testament to her extraordinary talent. “In a judo match where he cannot grab legs and he has to grip up and just throw, I’d put my money on Kayla,” Pedro remarked, suggesting that Harrison’s judo prowess might just outshine Khabib’s grappling skills in a pure judo setting.

But this only fuels the fire of speculation. Could we ever witness a clash between these two titans in a cross-discipline showdown? The possibilities are tantalizing, and the anticipation is electric. The world will have to hold its breath and wait to see if these legends ever step onto the mat together, but one thing is certain: if it happens, it will be nothing short of iconic.