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Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's in his wrestling 'prime' six years after abrupt UFC retirement

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Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's in his wrestling 'prime' six years after abrupt UFC retirement

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's wrestling better now than at any time in his legendary fighting career.

Khabib Nurmagomedov remains one of the few UFC greats to leave Mixed Martial Arts at the top of the sport. After defeating current UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Nurmagomedov opted to hang up the gloves just months after his father's tragic death.

Six months after his retirement, Nurmagomedov remains a big part of MMA as a coach for fighters such as Islam Makhachev and his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov. Makhachev, in particular, has repeatedly touted Nurmagomedov's discipline since retiring, as the UFC Hall of Famer remains a constant presence in training.

Known for his elite wrestling inside the Octagon, Nurmagomedov is arguably one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. But Nurmagomedov might be on another level six years since ending his career.

Khabib Nurmagomedov claims he's in his wrestling ‘prime' despite long UFC absence

In a recent appearance on Smol Talk, Nurmagomedov was asked about his wrestling acumen today compared to when he was competing in the UFC, and gave a shocking answer.

“People think my prime was between 2018 and 2020, but I wasn't in my prime back then. I turned 32 in September 2020, and I retired in October,†Nurmagomedov said.

“So I hadn't even really begun yet. My grappling has improved tremendously since then. In 2026, it's much better than it was in 2020. I watch my old fights now and think, ‘How could I have made that mistake here?' Meanwhile, people watching from the outside say, ‘Wow, what a level.'

“But to me, that's not the level. My grappling is far better now. And the guys who trained with me in both 2020 and 2026 say the same thing.â€

Despite numerous attempts by the UFC to lure Nurmagomedov out of retirement, the UFC legend remains steadfast in his decision to walk away.

How would Khabib Nurmagomedov fare against the current top UFC lightweights? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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MMA

Islam Makhachev fires back at Merab Dvalishvili, backs Petr Yan to silence him

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Islam Makhachev fires back at Merab Dvalishvili, backs Petr Yan to silence him
Islam
Makhachev believes Merab
Dvalishvili has never been happy for him.

Makhachev (29-1) defended his
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title for the first
time with a unanimous decision win over Ian Garry at
UFC
330. Makhachev's team raised the Russian flag inside the
Octagon while he was being declared the winner, drawing the ire of
Dvalishvili.

Makhachev says Dvalishvili has never been happy about his
success ahead of Yan-Dvalishvili III

Dvalishvili (21-5) was clearly unhappy to see the Russian flag
raised in the Octagon. “The Machine†claims it is unfair, as he is
allegedly not allowed to raise the Georgian flag after wins.
Dvalishvili also argues that the Russian flag is banned from most
sporting events due to the ongoing war with Ukraine.

Responding to Dvalishvili, Makhachev says that the former UFC
bantamweight champion has never been happy to see him succeed.
Makhachev notes that Petr Yan
raised the Russian flag after dethroning Dvalishvili last
December.

Yan is scheduled to defend his title in a trilogy fight against
Dvalishvili at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev hopes his countryman
defeats Dvalishvili again and raises the Russian flag to shut him
up for good.

“From the very beginning, he wasn't happy about my success in the
Octagon,†Makhachev said at a recent press conference. “But I don't
pay attention to those things. He’s already spoken about this many
times. But Petr Yan beat him and raised the flag in the Octagon. I
think [Yan] will beat him again now and silence him for good.â€


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Yonis Anane returns at ONE Friday Fights 170 on September 11

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Yonis Anane returns at ONE Friday Fights 170 on September 11

A 48-10 record built before turning 20 says everything about how far one strawweight prospect has already come, and it now meets a number just as remarkable in its own way on a card built almost entirely around fighters chasing their next milestone.

Yonis Anane faces Ricardo Sanchez in a strawweight Muay Thai clash when ONE Friday Fights 170 streams live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, September 11.

Anane holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever WBC Muay Thai World Champion, a credential built alongside three promotional victories before back-to-back losses interrupted his run heading into this rebuilding assignment.

Sanchez, also 19, holds an 11-1 career record and a perfect two-fight start in the promotion since his April debut, including a TKO victory in kickboxing before adding a Muay Thai win in June.

Anane's 48-10 mark also includes the weight of his family name, since he is the younger brother of former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane. Sanchez, meanwhile, has needed only two appearances to establish himself as one of the promotion's most efficient newcomers, a number that belies how quickly he has adapted to two different disciplines inside the Circle.

Yonis Anane's record meets a rising number

Yonis Anane's world championship pedigree gives him a clear experience edge on paper, but Sanchez's unbeaten start and quick rise through two disciplines make him a live threat to that record. A win for either fighter adds a significant number to an already compelling teenage rivalry still in its early chapters, one that both camps expect to define the next stage of each man's career.

Elsewhere on the card, Kongchai Chanaidonmueang's four-fight winning streak and 78-16 career record run into Ayad Albadr's five-fight resurgence off a 19-6 overall mark, while Yodlekpet Or Atchariya's four Muay Thai World Championships and 94 career wins headline a flyweight pairing against Mohamed Taoufyq's 18-6 record.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Anthony Hernandez suspended for six months after UFC Sacramento homecoming loss

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Anthony Hernandez suspended for six months after UFC Sacramento homecoming loss

UFC middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez will have to wait a while to return to the Octagon after a grueling loss at UFC Sacramento.

Rising middleweight stars Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues treated fight fans to one of the wildest UFC fights of the year last Saturday in Sacramento.

In a pivotal middleweight matchup, Hernandez and Rodrigues headlined a stacked card at UFC Sacramento. Hernandez and Rodrigues treated fans to an instant classic over five rounds, with Rodrigues earning a unanimous decision win on the judges' scorecards.

It was a disappointing setback for Hernandez, who fought in front of his hometown following at UFC Sacramento. Once thought of as a potential next title challenger, Hernandez has lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his UFC tenure.

After suffering an apparent leg injury thanks to several Rodrigues leg kicks, along with an accumulation of damage, Hernandez will be on the sidelines for a while after UFC Sacramento.

Anthony Hernandez issued medical suspension following UFC Sacramento slugfest

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) released a full list of fighter injuries and medical suspensions linked to UFC Sacramento.

Hernandez suffered a potential left knee fracture against Rodrigues, as announced by the CSAC in its post-event report. As a result, CSAC handed Hernandez a six-month medical suspension or until cleared by a physician.

Rodrigues suffered a potential right knee fracture against Hernandez and was also handed a 180-day medical suspension.

In addition to the UFC Sacramento headliners, Lerryan Douglas was handed a six-month suspension after suffering a possible orbital fracture. MarQuel Mederos, who earned an impressive knockout win over Mason Jones, also suffered a potential orbital fracture and is suspended for six months.

Can Anthony Hernandez return to the UFC middleweight title mix after UFC Sacramento? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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