Sherdog’s Top 10: MMA Wrestlers

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3. Khabib Nurmagomedov

While MMA has included Russians at its highest levels for many years, the Russian invasion has only just begun. Nurmagomedov is the face of the new wave of Russian fighters making their way to the UFC and other major promotions. That influx, however, consists largely not of ethnic Russians but of fighters from the North Caucasus region. No part of the world produces more wrestling talent: Look at the medalists from the 2012 Olympics and count the number of competitors from Dagestan, Chechnya and the neighboring federal republics. The fighters coming to the United States to compete are a product of that context, and Nurmagomedov is no exception.

Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, is a decorated freestyle wrestler, judoka and sambist, and his son’s game shows all of those facets. He can hit a vast variety of takedowns, from singles and doubles to trips and throws, and he chains them all together beautifully. Mat returns, top rides and even cradles have made an appearance in his game, and there is no disputing its comprehensive nature and sheer array of possible ways to control his opponent.

The combination of Dagestani judo, sambo and freestyle with the exceptional wrestling practices at the American Kickboxing Academy have turned Nurmagomedov into one of the sport’s finest takedown artists, and it would not be at all surprising if he occupied the top spot on this list in years to come.

Continue Reading: Number 2 » His wrestling style is simple and highly effective. Even against world-class competition, he was almost impossible to take down and did his best work off his opponents’ failed shots. In MMA, that translates to a nearly impenetrable sprawl-and-brawl game, with a heavy dose of head control and brutal grinding in the clinch.