Khabib Nurmagomedov
Active 2012–2020 · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 94.0
Scouting report
A 99 Wrestling and 97 BJJ anchor the profile of Khabib "The Eagle" Nurmagomedov, whose ground control and top pressure defined his career. Born in Sildi, Dagestan, Nurmagomedov retired undefeated at 29-0 after defending his UFC Lightweight Championship against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje using top control and ground-and-pound.
Peak ratings
By edition
Khabib established his grappling dominance in 2014, dominating Rafael dos Anjos over three rounds with takedowns and top control in Orlando at UFC on Fox 11 to extend his undefeated record to 22-0 before multiple knee surgeries and rib injuries sidelined him through 2015. His Dagestani wrestling control, takedown chains, and stamina are reflected in a 98 Wrestling and 92 Cardio.
Returning from a two-year layoff in April 2016, Khabib stopped Darrell Horcher via TKO, battered Michael Johnson before submitting him with a kimura at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden, and dominated Edson Barboza across three rounds at UFC 219 in Las Vegas. His takedown pressure, ground-and-pound, and top rides justify his 98 Wrestling and 94 Cardio ratings.
Khabib captured the undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 223 in Brooklyn by defeating Al Iaquinta, submitted Conor McGregor with a fourth-round neck crank at UFC 229 in Las Vegas, and unified the belt by submitting Dustin Poirier with a rear-naked choke at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. His wrestling control and top pressure are reflected in a 99 Wrestling and 96 Cardio.
In October 2020 at UFC 254 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, Khabib delivered his final career performance, submitting interim champion Justin Gaethje with a second-round mounted triangle choke before retiring undefeated at 29-0. His grappling transitions, fight IQ, and wrestling are captured in his 99 Wrestling and 96 Fight IQ.
Khabib Nurmagomedov: a plan that opponents could read and still not stop
Khabib retired 29-0 having lost very few rounds along the way. Everybody knew he wanted a takedown against the fence, and it made no difference. In a 25-0 draft his grappling traits mean your composite decides where the fight takes place, not the opponent.
Khabib attribute by attribute
Boxing. Built to serve the takedown. The stance is stiff in the pocket, but the overhand right that dropped Conor McGregor shows the power was real.
Kickboxing. Very little. A flying knee or a push kick to the leg, now and then, and almost never a sustained exchange at range.
Wrestling. The reference point. He chained single legs along the fence and trapped the far leg so an opponent could not post and stand.
BJJ. Smothering top pressure. Controlling the wrist behind the back, the so-called Dagestani handcuff, opened kimuras, triangles and rear-naked chokes.
Strength. Lightweights compared it to wrestling a bear. His squeeze shut down the hip escapes that normally get people out from underneath.
Durability. He was never knocked down and rarely cut. Edson Barboza landed a wheel kick that would have ended most fights, and Khabib kept walking forward.
Cardio. Enormous. Maul-style wrestling costs energy and he still finished round five the stronger man.
Fight IQ. Disciplined to a fault. He never let ego pull him into a brawl when the mat offered a cleaner route.
The trait to take: Wrestling
Nobody in the dataset traps opponents against the cage as reliably. Take it and your fighter picks the fight's geometry almost every time.
The trait to skip: Kickboxing
There is not much here for an outside striker to use. Pair Khabib's grappling with someone else's range game or you will struggle to score against a mover.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Khabib Nurmagomedov, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Islam Makhachevbest wrestling 98 · weakest kickboxing 87
- Mateusz Gamrotbest wrestling 94 · weakest strength 82
- Arman Tsarukyanbest wrestling 94 · weakest strength 86
- Benson Hendersonbest cardio 96 · weakest strength 84
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Khabib Nurmagomedov's strongest attribute, Wrestling.
Draft Khabib Nurmagomedov into your build
Khabib Nurmagomedov enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2014 and 2022. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Khabib Nurmagomedov is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Khabib Nurmagomedov's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.