Shavkat Rakhmonov, undefeated in the UFC welterweight division, recently shared his insights on the ongoing debate between sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Rakhmonov, a seasoned sambo practitioner, acknowledged the overall comprehensive nature of sambo – noting its integration of various combat styles, including boxing and wrestling.
This blend, he believes, forms a versatile fighting system.

However, he also acknowledges that Jiu-Jitsu is more advanced than sambo in one particular case:

I think that Jiu-Jitsu is better in the ground game…
And Jiu-Jitsu is a much more popular sport in the world. Sambo is not so well developed.

The Kazahstan national appears to be a humble person, who takes it all in one step at a time:

My life has changed (as a result of becoming popular in Kazahstan), of course, very much.
But I am like I was before. I’m (still) a simple guy.

Sometimes, of course, I have a lot of attention on the streets. Sometimes I get a little bit nervous (because of it).
But it’s all a part of the game.

He also addressed a particularly interesting point – that, when he knocks someone down, he doesn’t go chest-to-chest with them, in an attempt to control…
But he dips in his hips and throws shots from there:

I think I can punch much, much heavier than they (other fighters) do…
And for me, it’s not most important to control the opponent – but to punch much heavier.