Alex Pereira is the dual-division UFC and GLORY champion. He is a prime 205-pound staple. Despite being the current light-heavyweight champ, the Brazilian powerhouse does not have good grappling skills/. So why worry about it all now? Because a beefy Khabib Nurmagomedov is out there grappling light heavyweight fighters.
The Eagle FC founder and Dagestani lightweight legend is a surprise addition to Islam Makhac͏hev’s pre-fight camp. Makhachev defends his 155-pound gold against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Khabib has also been engaging in prolific routines during said training camp. Moreover, his presence in the training camp has sparked various reactions on the internet.
New footage sees him out-grapple UFC vet and TUF: Season 19 champ Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson (@coreya_mma) in prime fashion. Khabib Nurmagomedov completely dominates Anderson, who competes for Bellator MMA in the light-heavyweight division. Not a mismatch, given that Makhachev says Nurmagomedov currently weighs over 200 pounds. Moreover, Khabib hedges around 204lbs away from camps, making him a harder training partner.
he’s coming back isn’t he
— watch*hoop (@watch_hoop) May 26, 2024
‘The Eagle’ is also infamous for his zeal to never give up top mount positions instead of less-fluid striking. Having faced him before, even Poirier admits to Khabib being a tactician when it comes to top-position grappling sequences. However, battling an LHW is a whole other matter, especially away from active participation. Consequently, fight fans have geared up to consider this a sign of his imminent return.
At 29-0 MMA and 13-0 UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov maintains the spot of the longest-reigning undefeated lightweight in promotion history. His unattainable fight stats and marvelous feats are not that uncommon, but not if they can outdo the current active roster.
Fans react to the matter (Source: UFC.go.com/ (@olegrotor94) on Instagram via IG stories)The 35-year-old ended his career when he hung up his gloves in 2020. Rare behind-the-scene reels and scoops do see him engaging in grapples now and then. But as a pronounced former lightweight, dominating ex-UFC and current Bellator LHW Corey Anderson is a whole other matter. Here’s what fans say of it:
“Khabib never moved up he was scared”
– Khabib casually out grappling a light
heavyweight world champion 😂Khabib can come back and become the new light heavyweight champion in the UFC what Alex Gon do 😂
— Sean Gayland (@expertmma97) May 26, 2024
Dude on bottom fighting for his life 😂
— zachorama (@zachorama_) May 26, 2024
khabib walks around about 200lbs, so not too much of a mismatch
— John_E_Bones (@john_e_bones) May 26, 2024
Send khabib to alex then 😂
— Leonard (@UnbreakableOnX) May 26, 2024
Idk man but these last few videos from him look like training and not just working out
— 🕸️🐻⬇️ (@IshJitSu) May 26, 2024
khabib def weighing around heavyweight here lol
— ∘ (@zacdose) May 26, 2024
i’m scared i’ll admit it
— WINTER (@itsWinterWrites) May 26, 2024
Poatan is foooked
— Knockout of the day (@KOofTheDAY) May 26, 2024
Look at the size of Khabibs legs! Holy shit! Grappling and knock out power there
— Donald Exotic (@GitterMma) May 26, 2024
that’s the nature of the beast that is Khabib.
— Robert Brown | Ultiverse⚡️🐑 (@rbrown00) May 26, 2024
Not impressive considering Khabib is a heavyweight
— gus bus (@PittCommenter) May 26, 2024
getting ready to fight conor in msg in november lmao let’s gooooooo
— Nemo (@DakkarOfMysore) May 26, 2024
There are the usual handful of non-believer staples who actively snub him from the G.O.A.T list, full of names like Jon Jones and Georges St.Pierre. Concurrently, it’s no surprise that some would say this is a nominal feat, considering Khabib weighs around heavyweight limits now.
But keen-eyed fans think differently. A fan account (@schwick6) uploaded the full reel. A prime reaction (@watch_hoop) noted, “He’s coming back isn’t he?” The fighter’s striking routine on heavy bags and cardio sessions is normal. However, consecutive reels of grappling sessions have fueled the rumor that he might be making his return to MMA.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has also allegedly landed himself in deep waters with the Russian Federal Tax Service. Fans remain hopeful he can be goaded into a return by rival Conor McGregor for one fateful payday and a rematch of ages.
