A detailed statistical breakdown shows Khabib Nurmagomedov's middle-distance boxing was more effective than commonly recognized. Against top strikers like Gaethje, McGregor, and Poirier, Khabib held his own or won the striking exchanges at middle range. He landed 11 hard jabs on Gaethje, 40 on Iaquinta, and only narrowly lost the middle-distance striking to McGregor. Gaethje specifically praised Khabib's jab effectiveness due to his level-changing ability. The analysis argues Khabib's boxing allowed him to maintain pressure safely, set up takedowns near the cage, and would have enabled him to dominate welterweights like Woodley, Covington, Edwards, Masvidal, and Thompson if he had moved up in weight.
