Zubayra Tukhugov says Khabib Nurmagomedov trains twice a day and is in outstanding shape, adding that Khabib would not feel Sean Strickland in a fight and would take him down and dominate. Tukhugov also stated that Arman Tsarukyan would be a genuine challenge for him and that he is open to that matchup. He added that Islam Makhachev pulled out of a planned PFL bout against him after seeing Tukhugov's physique at a pre-fight photoshoot. Tukhugov is scheduled to compete against Elvis Brener at ACB JJ in Moscow on July 5.
Zubayra Tukhugov made headlines this week with a series of bold claims about retired lightweight great Khabib Nurmagomedov, insisting the undefeated Russian remains in exceptional physical condition and would dominate current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland if the two ever met.
Tukhugov stated that Khabib trains twice a day and looks outstanding, going as far as to say Strickland would not be felt in such a matchup and that Khabib would take him down and, in Tukhugov's words, "start killing him." Khabib, 37, retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0-0 record and was one of the most prolific grapplers in UFC history, averaging 5.32 takedowns per fifteen minutes during his career.
Strickland, 35, currently holds the UFC middleweight title with a 31-7-0 record. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the American is one of the highest-volume strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his takedown defense would theoretically be tested by Khabib's relentless wrestling.
Tukhugov also addressed a separate situation involving Islam Makhachev, claiming Makhachev withdrew from a planned PFL bout against him after seeing Tukhugov's physique at a pre-fight photoshoot. He added that Arman Tsarukyan would represent a legitimate challenge for Khabib and that he is open to that fight happening.
Tukhugov himself is set to compete at ACB JJ in Moscow on July 5, where he faces Elvis Brener.
Why it matters
- Khabib's retirement status remains unchanged, but comments from his close training partners continue to fuel speculation about his condition and potential returns
- Strickland, as reigning middleweight champion, draws frequent cross-divisional comparisons despite competing in a different weight class
- Tukhugov's claim about Makhachev withdrawing from a PFL booking adds a notable layer to ongoing discussions around that event's lightweight roster
