A detailed statistical breakdown of Khabib Nurmagomedov's final five UFC fights reveals his boxing skills were significantly underrated and often overlooked. The analysis, using a flexible point system for significant strikes at middle distance, shows Khabib won or drew the striking exchanges in four of five fights against elite strikers. He dominated Edson Barboza 25-11, destroyed Al Iaquinta 77-23 in what may be the greatest jab domination in UFC title fight history, went roughly even with Conor McGregor (16-19) and Dustin Poirier (6-6), and edged Justin Gaethje 14-12.25 on the scorecards. Gaethje specifically praised Khabib's jab, stating it was highly effective due to his ability to change levels, and suffered a bloody nose from Khabib's jabs in their fight. The analysis argues that without strong boxing fundamentals, Khabib would have struggled to implement his pressure game and set up his wrestling against the cage, and suggests he would have dominated the welterweight division against fighters like Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal, and Stephen Thompson.
A detailed statistical analysis published this week is making the case that Khabib Nurmagomedov's boxing ability was one of the most overlooked skills in UFC history, arguing the retired lightweight champion won or drew the striking exchanges in four of his final five bouts against elite competition.
The breakdown uses a flexible point system tracking significant strikes landed at middle distance across Khabib's last five fights. The numbers paint a picture that cuts against his reputation as a purely grappling-dependent fighter. He reportedly dominated Edson Barboza 25-11 on that metric, dismantled Al Iaquinta by a staggering 77-23 margin in what the analysis describes as potentially the greatest jab domination in UFC title fight history, finished roughly even with both Conor McGregor (16-19) and Dustin Poirier (6-6), and edged Justin Gaethje 14-12.25.
Khabib retired with a perfect 29-0 record. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and an Orthodox stance, the Russian finished his career averaging 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy — numbers that coexisted with an elite 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes, a combination the analysis argues was no coincidence.
Poirier, now 37 and a veteran of 40 professional fights at 30-10, carries a 72-inch reach and lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute, making his near-even exchange with Khabib in the striking department a meaningful data point.
The analysis draws on Gaethje's own comments to support its thesis, noting the former interim champion specifically praised the effectiveness of Khabib's jab, crediting his level-changing ability as the key factor, and acknowledged suffering a bloody nose from it during their contest.
Why it matters
- The findings challenge the long-held narrative that Khabib succeeded despite his striking rather than partly because of it
- The analysis argues that without sound boxing fundamentals, his pressure game and cage wrestling setups would have been far less effective
- It goes further, suggesting Khabib would have had the tools to compete and dominate at welterweight against fighters such as Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal, and Stephen Thompson
