Analysis: Khabib's overlooked mid-range boxing skill enabled his pressure tactics

A detailed breakdown examines Khabib Nurmagomedov's often-overlooked boxing ability at mid-range, which was crucial to his success. The analysis reviews his last five fights, scoring significant strikes on a flexible point system. Khabib won or drew the mid-range battle in four of five fights, including dominant performances against Barboza (25-11) and Al Iaquinta (77-23), and competitive exchanges with McGregor (16-19), Poirier (6-6), and Gaethje (14-12.25). Justin Gaethje specifically praised Khabib's effective jab, noting how his level changes made it dangerous. The piece argues that without strong mid-range boxing, Khabib would have struggled to implement his cage wrestling and could have lost fights, as maintaining pressure and driving opponents to the cage required credible striking.