Henry Cejudo claims Khabib Nurmagomedov turned to Sambo because he was not good enough at wrestling

Henry Cejudo has taken aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov's wrestling pedigree, claiming the former lightweight champion moved toward Sambo because he was not good enough at wrestling. The Olympic gold medalist's comments, which circulated Saturday, have reopened a long-running debate over the roots of one of the most dominant grapplers in UFC history.

Cejudo, 39, is a former UFC champion with a 16-6 record. A product of the United States and the Fight Ready team, he stands five-foot-four and fights out of an orthodox stance. His striking numbers are solid, with 3.82 significant strikes landed per minute at 47 percent accuracy. His takedown average sits at 1.84 per 15 minutes.

Nurmagomedov, 38, retired undefeated at 29-0. The Russian, who represented Fightspirit Team, built his reputation on relentless wrestling-based pressure. He averaged 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that dwarfs Cejudo's, and landed 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also averaged 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, a reminder that his grappling was as much about control and finishing as it was about getting fights to the mat.

Why it matters

• The claim pits an Olympic wrestling credential against a perfect professional record and elite takedown output.
• Sambo and freestyle wrestling are distinct disciplines, and Nurmagomedov's background in both is central to how fans and rivals judge his grappling.
• Cejudo's comments add to a pattern of high-profile fighters weighing in on legacy debates, and the take has already drawn reaction online.

The statistics offer a clear counterpoint. Nurmagomedov's takedown rate is nearly three times Cejudo's career average, and he finished his career without a loss. Cejudo's argument rests on his Olympic wrestling gold, a distinction Nurmagomedov never held.

Whether the remark is sincere critique or provocation, it lands on one of the sport's most protected reputations.