Khabib Nurmagomedov’s wrestling mastery would shine brighter today, says Zubaira Tukhugov

Khabib Nurmagomedov would likely perform even better today than he did in his 2018 victory over Conor McGregor, according to Zubaira Tukhugov, the former UFC fighter.

Khabib’s last fight ended on October 24, 2020, at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi, where he submitted Justin Gaethje in the second round before retiring. His 2018 clash with McGregor, on October 6, 2018, saw Khabib win by fourth-round submission.

What did Zubaira Tukhugov say about Khabib?

In an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net, Zubaira Tukhugov broke down Khabib’s wrestling evolution. **“He wrestles and learns something new every day,”** Tukhugov said. **“The more you wrestle, the better you get. And Khabib naturally improves.”** He then framed Khabib’s current form against his past dominance.

How would Khabib compare now to 2018?

Tukhugov argued that if Khabib were preparing for a fight today-especially against a top-tier striker like McGregor-he’d be sharper than in 2018. **“If he were training and preparing for a fight right now, he would perform better than he did last time,”** Tukhugov stated. The claim hinges on Khabib’s relentless technical growth in wrestling, a skill he’s honed daily since his early Dagestani training days.

Khabib’s 2018 win over McGregor lasted 23 minutes and 03 seconds, ending in a rear-naked choke at 3:03 of the fourth round. His 2020 bout with Gaethje ended at 2:04 of the second round via a guillotine choke. Both finishes showcased his choke-hold mastery and top control.

Why does Khabib’s wrestling matter now?

Khabib’s retirement announcement followed his 2020 win over Gaethje. Since then, he’s remained a polarizing figure in MMA circles, with fans debating how his skills would hold up against modern elite wrestlers. Tukhugov’s take suggests Khabib’s grappling edge hasn’t dulled-it’s likely sharpened.

His 2018 victory over McGregor marked the end of the Irishman’s three-fight UFC win streak. Khabib’s performance that night-dominating with takedowns and ground-and-pound-cemented his reputation as one of MMA’s most feared wrestlers.

What’s next for Khabib’s legacy?

With no active fights since 2020, Khabib’s legacy hinges on hypotheticals. Tukhugov’s remarks add fuel to debates about whether Khabib could still compete at the highest level. His wrestling base, built over decades in Dagestan, remains a benchmark for aspiring grapplers.

Khabib’s only professional losses came via disqualification in his debut and a 2008 loss to future Bellator champion Georgi Karakhanyan. Since then, he went 29-0, with 13 finishes in the UFC alone.