The lightweight division of the UFC is all about the grappling lately. Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov are prepping for a sharp face off. Ferguson may be a bjj black belt under Eddie Bravo but still Nurmagomedov feels his bjj is better:
“I don’t think he has better jiu-jitsu than me, better grappling, I think he’s unpredictable a little bit. He has very good knee, very good elbow. But I don’t think he ever fight with somebody like me, who have like pressure, top control, good everywhere. Strong.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov Catches a D’arce Choke on 3rd Degree Black Belt Leandro Vieira
“When we go to the cage, when cage close, we’re gonna show this. Me and Tony Ferguson is different level.”
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 famously wore a t-shirt saying: “If Sambo Was Easy, It Would Be Called Jiu-Jitsu”
Leonid Gatovskiy (first Russian BJJ Black Belt and leader Lion Baza club Russia) famously defeated Khabib in a grappling match in 2009.
Leonid is actually a BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie:
Be sure sure to check out our interview with Leonid HERE
