VIDEO: Watch Teenage Khabib Nurmagomedov Actually Lose a Fight in Russian Combat Sambo
By Michael Luciano
UFC fans, both casual and diehard alike, know that Russian star Khabib Nurmagomedov is as skilled as they come, but his takedown of Conor McGregor confirmed that he could be "face of the company" material. While a big selling point in Khabib's favor is his unblemished 28-0 record in professional MMA, he has actually been beaten in a fight before. Before he dipped his toe the mixed martial arts pool, Khabib was a practitioner of combat sambo, a grappling and striking sport originating in Russia. He notably suffered a loss at the age of 17 to 20-year-old Magomed Ibragimov back in the day -- this is either late 2005 or early 2006 -- and we have the video to prove it.
Someone better get Ibragimov on the phone and ask him for some tips and tricks on how to take Khabib down, because no one else has even come close to figuring out how to stop him in the years since.
Ibragimov, naturalized as a Russian but representing Uzbekistan internationally, is certainly no slouch. He's an Olympic bronze medalist wrestler from the 2016 games in Rio, while earning golds in back-to-back Asian Games in 2017 (New Dehli) and 2018 (Bishkek).
Only one man seems to know the secret of taking down Khabib, and it doesn't seem like he is willing to divulge any of his secrets. Good luck, UFC lightweight title challengers! You're gonna need it.