Analysis highlights Khabib Nurmagomedov's overlooked boxing and jab effectiveness

A detailed technical analysis examined Khabib Nurmagomedov's often underrated striking skills, particularly his boxing and jab on the middle distance. The piece reviewed his last five UFC fights, analyzing significant strikes landed using a flexible scoring system. Against Barboza, Khabib led 25-11 on strikes; against Iaquinta, he dominated 77-23 in what may be the biggest jab-based title fight domination in UFC history. Against McGregor, he went 16-19 (crediting McGregor's third-round boxing); against Poirier, 6-6; and against Gaethje, 14-12.25. Justin Gaethje previously praised Khabib's jab effectiveness, noting how his level changes made it especially dangerous. The analysis concluded that Khabib's middle-distance boxing was crucial to his pressure fighting and ability to set up takedowns against elite strikers like Gaethje, McGregor, and Poirier. The piece also speculated on how Khabib would have performed at welterweight against fighters like Woodley, Covington, Edwards, Masvidal, and Thompson.