Zubaira Tukhugov says Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently training twice a day and is in outstanding shape, though he believes Khabib is 99 percent certain never to compete again. Tukhugov also revealed that Artur Lobov withdrew from their scheduled PFL bout after seeing Tukhugov in peak condition at a pre-fight photo shoot. He named Arman Tsarukyan as the one fighter who would pose a genuine grappling challenge for him. Tukhugov is set to compete in a grappling match against Elvis Brener at ACB JJ in Moscow on July 5.
Zubaira Tukhugov sat down for a wide-ranging interview ahead of his grappling match against Elvis Brener at ACB JJ in Moscow on July 5, weighing in on the condition of retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and making bold claims about what the undefeated champion would do to current middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland.
Tukhugov, 35, holds a professional record of 20-6-1 and competes out of Tiger Muay Thai. The Russian orthodox striker stands five-foot-eight with a 68-inch reach and averages 3.17 significant strikes per minute. He also carries a respectable grappling base, averaging 2.13 takedowns per 15 minutes in his MMA career.
On the subject of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tukhugov said the 29-0 Eagle is currently training twice a day and is in outstanding physical shape. Despite that, Tukhugov believes there is a 99 percent chance Khabib never competes again. Tukhugov suggested that if Khabib were to face middleweight champion Sean Strickland, he would take him down and start finishing him — a plausible stylistic argument given Khabib's career averages of 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes against Strickland's modest 0.71 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes in return. Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7 record and a 76-inch reach, and is one of the busier strikers in the sport at 6.04 significant strikes per minute, but has shown limited grappling output throughout his career.
Tukhugov also addressed a cancelled PFL matchup, claiming Artur Lobov withdrew from their scheduled bout after seeing Tukhugov in peak condition at a pre-fight photo shoot. He identified Arman Tsarukyan as the one opponent who would present a genuine grappling challenge for him.
Why it matters
- Khabib's reported twice-daily training sessions will fuel continued speculation about a comeback, even as his own camp rates it as almost certain not to happen.
- The Strickland hypothetical highlights a real stylistic vulnerability: the middleweight champion averages less than one takedown per 15 minutes and rarely attempts submissions.
- Tukhugov's callout of Tsarukyan as his toughest grappling test signals continued ambition in the lightweight division.
