Khabib Nurmagomedov Takedown Techniques Breakdown

After studying all of Khabib Nurmagomedovs professional MMA fights I break down his takedown strategy and techniques and provide analysis of how it has evolved over his career from the Bear to the UFC.
I look at his fights up until his fight with Michael Johnson but also include highlights from his fights with Rafael Dos Anjos, Abel Trujillo and Pat Healy. Hopefully, we see Khabibi land more of these takedowns in his upcoming fight against Edson Barboza and then against Tony Ferguson or Conor McGregor.
Errata: The official decision for Kahbib vs Tiabu was Unanimous 30-27. I should have stated that it was opinions that were split as the majority of media members had scored the bout to Tibau. Reference: mmadecisions.com/decision/3577...
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Check out my other Analysis and Breakdown videos.
Machida Karate Takedowns: • Fedor Emelianenko - Sa...
Fedors Clinch Throws: • Fedor Emelianenko - Sa...
Khabibs Grappling: • Khabib Nurmagomedov Gr...
Khabibs Takedowns: • Khabib Nurmagomedov Ta...
Khabibs Mat Returns: • Khabibs Wrestling & Ma...
Dogbar/OverUnder Kneebar: • Over Under Kneebar Sub...
Leg Mount Ride: • Leg Mount Ride MMA Bre...
Music:
Aleksander Zatsepin - Tanec Shamana
Pavel Sysoyev - Gostiny Dvor
ABC Ansambl Angela Vlatkovića - Snovi
References
Askren, B. (2013). Manhandling Manifesto [DVD]. Alan Belcher MMA.
#khabib #khabibnurmagomedov #mmatakedowns #mmatraining #khabibgrappling

[@sayan1667]

The Single Leg Cutback is one of my favorites technique. It’s so simple, but not easy to master. It’s so good and effective when you achieve it, but if you can’t control your emotions, it can be death trap for you too. I wish more people could understand the brilliant techniques that Khabib shows during his fights and how much intelligent he is.

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks mate, thats what I tried to educate people with this video !

[@denizkenger52]

I like doing double leg cutback.

[@kallepikku4991]

Khabib's wrestling was at savage levels before even going to AKA. After that it has gone straight up to Smesh level.

[@Lionman177]

And after that American Kickboxing Academy became Dagestani Wrestling Academy :)

[@RezbisGrappleStrike]

Khabib has so much strength and stamina that he's relentless.

[@dylanandrejic4902]

Khabib and Askren together in the same video is every MMA grappler’s wet dream.

[@SonnyBrown]

The dream team 🙏

[@sl0ptart]

I absolutely love watching specialists... Abdulmanap was such a legend. So hard to overstate his impact on MMA.

[@SonnyBrown]

🙏🙏🙏

[@BugsyPacino]

The stages of the eagles progress. He keeps adapting and getting better. He’s a true warrior of the fight game

[@mrfalconpuch123]

I don’t know why you chose to play porn music in the background but i like it.

[@Luc-1991]

that's some old skool porn you watching bro.

[@keisi1574]

mrfalconpuch123 It makes me wunna pin you and...

[@ngocly8943]

Lol hilarious

[@pr1zrak576]

Sprawl???

[@cardking5191]

Now we know why Khabib likes to sprawl. The music explains everything.

[@jcborromeo5698]

This is the best fight strategy breakdown of a fighter I have ever seen

[@SonnyBrown]

Wow that is a huge compliment! Thanks mate!

[@mohamedhm8085]

Tibau bench pressed his way out of every takedown attempt... Those were the juice days

[@SonnyBrown]

Yeah he was pretty jacked haha 🙏

[@ventwilliams3352]

Mannn this is actually a GOOOOD pin pointed TECHNICAL video. One of the best i ever seen. This video actually showed the EVOLUTION transition of this dudes takedowns/growth. Clearlyyy seeing what he did to get better..im not big on the whole subscribing to channels thing but i haddd to subscribe to this channel. 👌 good video dude

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks mate! I appreciate the kind words and the subscription!

[@Tajdev]

The best ever analysis of khabib game.

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you ! 😊

[@M-a-k-o]

Amazing breakdown again Sonny! You really see things where others are happy to leave it at "great takedown by the Eagle".

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you! Thats the difference I hope to bring!

[@herewego1067]

John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor watched your video for SURE

[@SonnyBrown]

That would be an honor but I am sure they would do their own research and maybe see some things I missed.

[@MrManifolder]

and despite that, and years of preparing for Khabib, McGregor still lost.

[@savetheworld2071]

@@MrManifolder, you are right, khabib humbled him

[@ugottrolled6064]

You forgot Dillan Danis

[@David-fv2hj]

Brilliant analysis. I am going through his BJJ fanatics uploaded video and this is exactly what he explains in his first video. How he does his single leg takedown, his throws from clinches. You nailed it perfectly

[@SonnyBrown]

Very interesting! I had not thought about seeing how my predictions went vs what he said. I might go check that out!

[@David-fv2hj]

@@SonnyBrown Great vids by Khabib. He breaks it down so easily step by step. After he explains it, it is fascinating to watch it in his fights how effortless it is.

[@dna8269]

Awesome video, glad someone finally analyzed Khabib like this. I'd like to see further study of him on the mat and his guard passing / controlling techniques.

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you! I might get onto that one in a few weeks.

[@OlivierTravers]

BJJ Scout mentions Khabib's wrist control in passing in this video: Ben Askren Study Part 2 - Hand Control

[@Syndister]

Khabib is using basic wrestling techniques he is just unbelievable at it. Watch bjj or wrestling videos and you'll see what he does and how he does it. Obviously with differences in each discipline

[@samuelehsaeizadehh4901]

best video on youtube no cap

[@hawkinstc5353]

Great video! He's been my favorite fighter for a long time! A long of people doesn't like his style of fighting but it's the most efficient if u no what your doing! Keep up the great work! U have a new fan!

[@Thetrue70]

If anyone think Conor can take this pressure they know nothing about mma

[@SonnyBrown]

I will be happy to watch that fight ! 🙏

[@-scorpionox-]

on the other hand, if you think Khabib can just waltz past striking range into clinch range without taking one on the chin from Conor then you also might not know much about MMA.

[@MrJohnnyAOA]

But Khabib shoots for singles outside striking range.

[@phenomenom20]

@@MrJohnnyAOA True but I'd bet McGregor has been training to land an uppercut or a hard knee to hurt Khabib if he shoots low. I want Khabib to destroy him but McGregor is a crafty guy and very precise when it comes tp striking.

[@mqatari4069]

Dude you were right.

[@jongrappler287]

I so want to see T Ferg vs Khabib

[@SonnyBrown]

Me too Jonny boy !

[@basilb2007]

Jon Grappler I wanna see that. But not until Tony gets to unify his belt. Or else it's unfair to Tony. We can't let Conor keep running away with the belt anymore.

[@ryanagar1114]

Your wish came true

[@ganjalfthegreen5312]

Rip your hopes and dreams

[@paulbentley2709]

I think Fergy is the one to do him

[@sten40too1]

He won a unanimous 30-27 decision vs Tibau, and the fight wasnt close, Tibau was backing up all the time

[@SonnyBrown]

HijackDelta 1 you are right about the official decision. I should have said split opinions as the majority of media members at the time scored it for Tibau. See mmadecisions.com/decision/3577/Khabib-Nurmagomedov-vs-Gleison-Tibau .

[@sten40too1]

Awesome breakdown anyway!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks mate and well spotted ! Ill add a note in the description.

[@SonnyBrown]

I'm not saying the decision was right or wrong, or that commentary couldn't have influenced the audience, just that at the time there were differing opinions. Another example: "Though Nurmagomedov is walking away with the victory, it's not without controversy. Many believe that Tibau, who had more takedowns and seemed to be getting the better of the striking, should have won. Nurmagomedov did manage to pin Gleison against the cage for much of the fight, but landed little offense from that position and was unable to get any takedowns." bleacherreport.com/articles/1250644-ufc-148-what-we-learned-from-gleison-tibau-vs-khabib-nurmagomedov

[@MachoMaster]

Sonny Brown. Tibau definitely didn't get the better of the striking. www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/7/10/3149655/new-statistics-from-the-tibau-vs-nurmagomedov-fight

[@harithdanial141]

Khabib not get credit that he deserves for his technique and genius strategy. People who doesn't know about mma,they will see grappling like a boring things that's why many people underestimate khabib. But the fact khabib is outstanding in striking too. He can dominate everyone and the game. Khabib is one of the special like gsp,silva and fedor but for sure fedor prime is the best all of time

[@SonnyBrown]

🙏🙏🙏

[@subliminalsanctuary7832]

The greatest grappler of all time

[@MISHBASH]

Wow! This is one of the best breakdowns of Khabib’s technique evolution. Good job 👍🏼

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you for the support!

[@rofiihamdi65]

This is what i'm looking for, good stuff man, i learned so much from your video, thanks for making this video.

[@SonnyBrown]

ROFII HAMDI thanks for the support !

[@Izzy-zf1fl]

I wonder if Mark Henry is lurking here too, for his tape analysis of Khabib lol. Great breakdown, bro. Subscribed.

[@BrendanDormanMMA]

Nice work

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you Mr Dorman !

[@chadelliottfahlman]

Khabib's single-leg had 1 weakness: steroids.

[@SonnyBrown]

It certainly didn't help!

[@egrassa1480]

@Kkkk Bbbb still undefeated tho

[@hatuey718]

Friggin’ Tibau

[@r3f1j1]

Epic Analysis Professor Brown! 🤘

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks mate!

[@salahboulemden9259]

fighting Khabib is like fighting a hungry bear, same fighting style

[@TheOneJBass]

Sonny we want more fighter break downs No one does it like you

[@ratamahatta1300]

such a lovely soundtrack to that video!

[@limnostiger9240]

this is fantastic, exactly what I was looking for!

[@Whosyourdaddy21]

Khabib made his fight against Able Trujillo look like a grappling seminar

[@heelhookyourmomma9227]

His game was always far more just a single leg , his upper body clinches are varied and dynamic, and used for all sorts of judo/wrestling trips, hip throws , reaps, tani's , uchis , back throws etc plus he kuzushis with a constant chain of legit takedown attempts ,

[@SonnyBrown]

🙏🙏🙏

[@kabutoyakushi6618]

This video is sick. Thank you!

[@LECityLECLEC]

Beautiful work!

[@isaytheenay5961]

incredible. Keep up the good work.

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you! I appreciate the support!

[@belfortmassimo6257]

Everyone know his technique. but he is unstoppable.? Why ...

[@SonnyBrown]

Because he is still better than everyone!

[@searchrightthings.947]

Bro i can tell you if you believe it or not. Because his Believe of his truth only&one God. Yeah there can be some other people who doesn't believe in God but still win. End of the day There's Godwilling Specially with khabib.

[@nihalsk7864]

BECAUSE.HE.NEWER.DRINK.PRAY.RELAX.AND.THE.FINGERS.HE.SHOWS.UPSTAIRS.TELLING.I.AM.NOTHING.ALLAH.IS.GREAT.

[@pascalr4532]

Allah is great but im greater

[@973reggie]

Sultan C 🤮 🤮 what a dumb thing to actually believe

[@jalilabdul8518]

He found this technique when he fought the bear

[@eamonshields2754]

Great Breakdown! Thanks

[@SonnyBrown]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Rastafaraj18]

Great stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks, mate. Its a lot of effort so I appreciate the kind words!

[@otucanal-wv2rt]

Just found this channel. Great content.

[@hlang08]

incredible video - thanks so much

[@SonnyBrown]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏

[@graphstyle]

Great breakdowns!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@hallami3488]

Sick breakdown of Khabib Future champ inshallah !!

[@SonnyBrown]

Looking to cement that title victory!

[@Fin4L6are]

Finally someone did it, thanks!

[@SonnyBrown]

EriksR no problems mate !!

[@Reaper7mk]

Great video

[@juandenz2008]

Good breakdown mate !!

[@SonnyBrown]

No problems !

[@hugoguzman6808]

Great video!!

[@MrCharlietoma]

Brilliant work. I really appreciate it. I started doing more single legs now😁

[@moratheexplorer5791]

Now i know why he so calm when get guillotine from poirier, he experience it from early career.

[@SonnyBrown]

Sure did! 🙏

[@cypresspuz]

That was SUPERB

[@emeliedenmodige2470]

nice work, from sweden!!

[@Tobby4063]

Great breakdown. Thanks.

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks for the support Toby! 🙏

[@lukeno4143]

best video i have seen

[@juliobourne1881]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@SamirSamir-yb6my]

I have Khabibs early fights in slow motion on my channel

[@premiercconstruction]

I wrestled for years. The collie flower ears tell the story.... cabib is a tough mother who feels nothing. He is a wrestling machine. Funny how it’s not advanced wrestling but basic high school level wrestling.

[@SonnyBrown]

He is a master! 🙏

[@bred2803]

Great breakdown bud

[@SonnyBrown]

Cheers mate !

[@denysdmytrenko3817]

At 1:50 Askren takes down with head on the outside, but Khabib takes down with head on the inside

[@rprp7762]

The way to beat Khabib can be done in a few steps but needs practice: you need a fight plan when fighting him because he has a very detailed one against you. he uses the same one almost all of the time with few exceptions. 1) when he dives for your leg/s putting his head down he is vulnurable. first line of attack is a well-timed knee or punch to the head while simultaneously stepping back to avoid him taking your leg if you can 2 )if he doesnt get your leg keep a standup punching game and avoid grappling with him. if he gets your leg/s, and you are still standing, balance with your other leg straight out. use it for a knee to body or punches to body. his body muscle mass is less then other fighers so he is vulnurable to body blows. notice how he stepped back everytime gleison tibau knee'd or punched him with average hits. dont go for the guillotine because although it looks favorable he is in side control or half guard the majority of the time, and that position is not favorable for it. also if you miss you are commited. if he puts you on the fence he uses his head/shoulders to put pressure on your neck and chest while he uses his body as leverage (feet way back), to decrease your oxygen intake and weaken you before he goes into phase 2. notice when he does this he stops attacking for a while for this to have an effect. if standing, use elbows to head, knees to body to escape this oxygen depriving tactic. his main weakness are body-blows in any form and a standup fight. he is not comfortable standing up so keep him there as much as possible while attacking him and staying away from his takedowns. time his lunges stepping back while aiming for knees or punches to head. if one connects its over. hope this helps his future opponents.

[@TheAnalyticalMuslim]

All that said, every fighter knows this but they were unable to apply it.

[@jeffcandy2479]

Great work

[@SonnyBrown]

Cheers, I appreciate it ! 🙏

[@TheGodfather101]

The magic is in the lead knee (underhook side). It's all about realigning it to his shoulder line.

[@krisbishop7452]

Would love to see a Khabib ground game video.

[@SonnyBrown]

Kris Bishop just so happens I should have it finished by tomorrow.

[@eddyk.7091]

You are a really good analyst! Great work. I never been a Khabib fan but watching your videos really makes me want to get that technique under my belt, it's a must have if you're fighting for sure!

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks for the support Eddy, glad I could help 🙏

[@thewisetzar5363]

Great content, you deserve more subscribers/!

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks mate. I am working on it!

[@dobermanmma8608]

excellent bro

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you!

[@yusufbulbulia786]

McGragor will have to be re-born and start wrestling bears to come even close to Khabib's level!!!! Brilliant clip though but one have to be born and bread like a very different type of animal altogether to be at Khabib's level of pure wrestling!!!

[@knas5567]

McGregor*

[@joshbbr24]

OMG hands down homie!

[@Ghostface__x_]

we shall see 🙏i hope so

[@markjuarezmma]

This is great 👍

[@chick4crick]

insightful...peace.

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks ! Appreciate it

[@shadowdance4666]

Brave Khabib ran away. Bravely ran away, away. When danger reared it’s ugly head He bravely turned his tail and fled Yes, brave Khabib turned about And gallantly he chickened out Bravely taking to his feet He beat a very brave retreat Bravest of the brave Khabib

[@xpdeus3011]

Хорошая работа спасибо за видео.

[@SonnyBrown]

Благодарим за комментирование🙏

[@wanabisufi8843]

Great videos.

[@SonnyBrown]

I appreciate the kind words!

[@georgejaparidze]

Wow, very good video. Only thing is the music "What the fook is that © by McGregor"

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks for taking the time to comment George! I learned my lesson with the music volume for all my future videos ! :) 🙏

[@pierrebridenne8870]

Good video, good music .

[@lq615]

excellent

[@jacobfreedman8978]

Great work man. Keep these breakdowns coming. I do honestly want to see Connor win and these break downs give me hope.....also I play bass in several bands and I liked the choice of funk in the clip. Good times.

[@vazo_3851]

Lol how do you feel about your boy Conor now? 🤣 3 years later.

[@jacobfreedman8978]

@@vazo_3851 Connor had his time. Nothing lasts forever and that's OK. He is a legend and nothing will ever change that. Wanna know what I really think? I think Khabib is like a Spartan soldier, like a warrior of antiquity that was raised in battle from such an early age that no one can ever beat him. Spartans started their training from age what, like 8 or something? There is just no substitute for that. I don't find his fighting style all that interesting to watch and if Khabib had to fight Muay Thai exclusively he would be DESTROYED whereas Connor McGregor would be fine. No one is impressed with Khabib's striking. You wanted to know what I think, so there you have it.

[@vazo_3851]

@@jacobfreedman8978 It's ok. "It's only business".

[@jacobfreedman8978]

@@vazo_3851 Connor lost to Khabib. I think we all expected that.

[@detectx4761]

sweet bro

[@daalhead1098]

needs to be remade

[@SonnyBrown]

Yrah it is due a remake

[@ayoubhamdi1]

Most technical, accurate, realistic and objective content I've yet seen about Khabib's fighting -Khabib's "genius". Rather than the "bear fighter" and "Dagestan eagle" nonsense. Great work buddy 👌

[@Kyle-tl8hl]

music reminds me of a tarantino picture

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you! People either love the music or hate it, but Im glad you can appreciate it!

[@dataman6744]

"won a close split decision"? He won all the rounds how is that close?

[@Zak0179]

@Ace Eca won 30-27

[@Oswadomob]

@@Zak0179 controversial tho

[@Zak0179]

@@Oswadomob no tibau didnt do shit the whole fight other than defending some tds (not surprising as he was easily 30 lbs heavier than khabib on the fight night and was on nuclear fuel). He stayed on the cage the whole time. Khabib pressured him the whole fight.

[@khaleddriouch4758]

@@Zak0179 tibau oustriked him for 2 rounds, and don't say " a few takedowns" you lying mug, he defended them all, in my opinion it's a draw because khabib did engage more in the wrestling but was 0% success, don't lie again you mug.

[@gettingoverit3080]

@@Zak0179 can i just ask where is the evidence that tibau was 30lbs? He does look more jacked than khabib but 30?

[@nicolasn.kaminsky5232]

Khabib is the boss!

[@rahmanrahmanalfatih7669]

Khabib is the best

[@jcgjcg3844]

After watching this I see what Kevin Lee was saying. Most of Kahbibs opponent's back up and don't engage. It's almost as if they lose from mental weakness Kahbib has a lot of holes in his game.

[@tomdewilde1]

very good video. Since this is alot about "single-leg-takedows"" ... why not make one about the champion of the "single-leg-takedowns"" ... mr K. Sakuraba?

[@John-ps2kz]

0:50 Cutback 1:48 Run the pipe 2:35 Turning the corner

[@uncircumcisedcircus]

Hes too dynamic of a wrestler. He possess great singles, doubles, body locks and his X factor which is his judo game. The short answer is don't let khabibs hips get within a 3 foot radius of yours.

[@SonnyBrown]

Good answer!

[@defozzz]

ben askren study silimar to this one would be awesome as well, good stuff

[@SonnyBrown]

BJJ Scout already has you covered for that department : kzbin.info/www/bejne/nITEp4yBfqqJapI

[@justanotherbirdd268]

I like the background music too

[@DanTheWolfman]

Very good, I'd consider that last one on Trajillo a Polish lateral variation....

[@SonnyBrown]

I think you are right about that !

[@cloudsculptor1]

Great info , 👍 I struggled to ignore the inane music . Is it necessary?

[@ultimaoculis6389]

Yep winded me up so much fuck my life

[@lucaantonelli1511]

My take is that’s virtually impossible to keep the fight standing

[@arshadarsh6489]

Take down king

[@SonnyBrown]

One of the best!

[@abdallahradiy6651]

Tibau wasn't a split decision victory, it was a unanimous victory. Even if you disagree that's the way the judges scored it.

[@mdmazhar6966]

Khabib khabib👌👌

[@kir7331]

Thank you for the great analysis! Only the music is horrible

[@bartfart3847]

#Khabib100TakeDowns

[@SonnyBrown]

He is a takedown machine! 🙏

[@R08R]

Great choice of music.smoove&turrel This is quality breakdown!

[@SonnyBrown]

Thanks mate. It was actually hahrd to find music that goes with this tyype of video so im glad you enjoyed it .

[@SocietyAnalyst]

Very good video, nice explanation even though i definitely don't share same music tast :)

[@SonnyBrown]

Glad you enjoyed! The music was the style at the time haha

[@SocietyAnalyst]

@@SonnyBrown :) god bless U

[@warriorsofAllah]

Nice

[@SonnyBrown]

Thank you 😊