Zubaira Tukhugov says a fight-ready Khabib Nurmagomedov would have no trouble with Sean Strickland, predicting he would take him down and finish him. Tukhugov also revealed that Artyom Lobov withdrew from their scheduled PFL bout after seeing Tukhugov in peak physical condition at a pre-fight photo session, and that Lobov has since gone silent and stopped responding to outreach. Tukhugov named Arman Tsarukyan as a meaningful future challenge, while describing a matchup with Alexander Volkanovski as one he would dominate in grappling. He fights Elvis Brener at ACB JJ in Moscow on July 5.
Zubaira Tukhugov made headlines this week with a series of bold claims about Khabib Nurmagomedov, Artyom Lobov, and his own future in the sport, speaking publicly ahead of his grappling contest against Elvis Brener at ACB JJ in Moscow on July 5.
Tukhugov, 35, carries a 20-6-1 professional record and competes out of Tiger Muay Thai. The Russian orthodox striker stands five-foot-eight with a 68-inch reach and averages 2.13 takedowns per 15 minutes, a number that shapes much of what he had to say about his former teammate Khabib and the current middleweight landscape.
On the subject of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tukhugov was unequivocal. He stated that a fight-ready version of the 29-0 Russian legend would have no difficulty with middleweight champion Sean Strickland, predicting Khabib would take him down and finish him. Khabib averaged an elite 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, a figure that gives context to Tukhugov's confidence. Strickland, who holds a 31-7 record and is the reigning middleweight champion, averages just 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes himself and generates the bulk of his offense on the feet, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
Tukhugov also addressed the collapse of his scheduled PFL bout with Artyom Lobov. He claimed Lobov pulled out after seeing Tukhugov's physical condition at a pre-fight photo session, and that Lobov has since gone completely silent and stopped responding to any outreach.
Looking ahead, Tukhugov pointed to Arman Tsarukyan as a genuinely meaningful challenge for him, while expressing confidence he would dominate Alexander Volkanovski on the ground in a potential matchup.
Why it matters
- Tukhugov's comments on Khabib reignite debate around the retired champion's theoretical ceiling against today's titleholders
- The Lobov fallout raises questions about whether that rivalry has a future in any promotion
- Tsarukyan and Volkanovski name-drops signal Tukhugov is positioning himself for higher-profile featherweight matchups
