UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been cheeky about bjj in past famously sporting a sambo t shirt:
“If Sambo was easy, it would be called Jiu-Jitsu”
Khabib Nurmagomedov Catches a D’arce Choke on 3rd Degree Black Belt Leandro Vieira
So what’s the backstory to that Tshirt story?
Eldar Eldarov reveals who was behind the idea of wearing a provocative shirt in Brazil during the UFC on FX weigh-ins in 2013.
Khabib Nurmagomedov on BJJ’s problem:
“Jiu-Jitsu has a very big problem: there are no good takedowns. No good, no good takedowns but on the ground it is perfect. Jiu-Jitsu on the ground is perfect and if you want to begin Jiu-Jitsu you need takedowns, guys. In Sambo there is very good takedowns, takedown skills and if you have a mix of Combat Sambo plus Wrestling this is unstoppable.”
Similar to what Ben Askren said:
Ben Askren Blasts BJJ For Lack Of Takedowns
Khabib on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu biggest problem pic.twitter.com/Wpfty6y2KS
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (Fan) (@AtamanFanUFC) March 6, 2020
