Analysis highlights Khabib Nurmagomedov's underrated boxing and jab effectiveness

A detailed analysis examined Khabib Nurmagomedov's boxing skills, particularly his jab and middle-distance striking, which the author argues were overlooked aspects of his game. Justin Gaethje is quoted praising Khabib's jab effectiveness, noting how it worked well because of Khabib's level changes that forced opponents to pull their hips back. The analysis reviewed Khabib's last five fights using a point system for significant strikes at middle distance. In four of five fights, Khabib did not lose the middle distance: he dominated Edson Barboza 25-11, demolished Al Iaquinta 77-23, went nearly even with Conor McGregor 16-19, tied Dustin Poirier 6-6, and edged Gaethje 14-12.25. The author concludes that Khabib's middle-distance boxing allowed him to maintain pressure safely and set up his wrestling, and speculates he would have dominated the welterweight division against fighters like Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal, and Stephen Thompson.