Zubaira Tukhugov says a fit Khabib Nurmagomedov would dominate Sean Strickland, predicting he would take Strickland down and finish him, while still believing Khabib will never compete again. Tukhugov also stated that Arman Tsarukyan is the one opponent in the lightweight division who would offer him a genuine challenge, and that he would have no problem with a top-form Alexander Volkanovski on the ground. He revealed that Artem Lobov withdrew from their planned PFL bout after seeing Tukhugov in peak physical condition at a pre-fight photo session. Tukhugov is scheduled to compete against Elvis Brener at an ACB JJ event in Moscow on July 5.
Zubaira Tukhugov made a series of bold claims in a recent interview, arguing that a healthy Khabib Nurmagomedov would dismantle current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, while also addressing his own upcoming competitive return.
Tukhugov contended that Khabib would take Strickland down and finish him, though he acknowledged in the same breath that he does not expect the undefeated Russian to ever fight again. Khabib retired with a flawless 29-0 record and remains one of the most dominant grapplers in MMA history, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. Strickland, who holds the middleweight title at 31-7, is primarily a striker, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute but averaging fewer than one takedown per 15 minutes on offense, leaving questions about how he would handle elite wrestling.
Tukhugov also weighed in on the lightweight landscape, singling out Arman Tsarukyan as the one man in that division who would truly test him. He expressed confidence against a prime Alexander Volkanovski on the ground as well.
Perhaps the most striking revelation concerned Artem Lobov. Tukhugov claims the 39-year-old Irish-based fighter, who carries a 13-15-1 professional record, withdrew from their scheduled PFL meeting after seeing Tukhugov in peak physical shape during a pre-fight photo session. Lobov, listed at five-foot-nine with a 65-inch reach, had been set to face Tukhugov before reportedly pulling out.
Why it matters
- Khabib's name attached to any matchup discussion generates significant attention, even in retirement
- Tukhugov naming Tsarukyan as his toughest lightweight test signals awareness of the division's evolving pecking order
- The Lobov withdrawal story, if accurate, adds an unusual footnote to Tukhugov's July 5 ACB JJ appearance in Moscow against Elvis Brener
