Fighters Only

Issue 194

September 2021

Over his professional career, Khabib Nurmagomedov amassed 29 wins and no losses. It seemed whenever his opponents asked a question, he always had the answer.

Michael Johnson: UFC 205, November 12, 2016

Michael Johnson looked as though he had found a chink in the armor of Khabib when he caught him with a right hook early in the bout causing Khabib to wobble briefly. Unfortunately, for Johnson, Nurmagomedov quickly regrouped and dominated the fight thereafter. The ringside mics overheard Khabib coldly telling his opponent, “I need fight for the title, you know I deserve” on the way to stopping him via kimura.

Submission 2:31, Round 3

Al Iaquinta: UFC 223, April 7, 2018

In April 2018, Brooklyn's Barclays Center witnessed this battle for the vacant UFC Lightweight title. Khabib was able to dominate ‘Raging Al’ over five rounds and claim the crown he held until his retirement.

Unanimous Decision

Conor McGregor: UFC 229, October 7, 2018

The biggest fight in the history of MMA to date. With bad blood between the two, Nurmagomedov was ruthless as he stopped McGregor by neck crank in the fourth. The post-fight celebrations quickly descended into chaos as Khabib leapt

out of the octagon and fighting ensued between McGregor and Khabib’s teammates.

Submission 3:03, Round 4

Dustin Poirier: UFC 242, September 7, 2019

Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier was dominated for most of the fight but did have the champion in real trouble with a tight arm-in guillotine in the third. It looked as if Poirier was about to pull off a huge upset until Khabib broke free and finished the fight only moments later with a rear naked choke.

Submission 2:06, Round 3