Famous MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz made a bold claim about Khabib Nurmagomedov. Abdelaziz said his former client could submit middleweight champion Israel Adesanya within three rounds.
Abdelaziz represents Kamaru Usman as well as a number of other aces. As of late, the problematic MMA insider has been bothered by the ‘African Unity’ between Usman, Ngannou and Adesanya and has tried to float the idea of Usman fighting Adesanya repeatedly.
The Eagle’ retired from mixed martial arts in 2020 with a clean score of 29-0, having only lost two rounds in the UFC. The only thing preventing him from being crowned the greatest is because most of his opponents prior to the UFC were fairly low rated.
Khabib’s former manager Ali Abdelaziz recently claimed that the 33-year-old could take on Israel Adesanya easily if they ever compete in the octagon. Even now Khabib still trains daily, even though he’s not an active fighter. Nurmagomedov is also rumored to be walking around at around 200 lbs nowadays.
During a recent interview with Sherdog, Ali Abdelaziz compared Khabib’s performance to Israel Adesanya and is certain that Khabib could submit Adesanya at 185 pounds.
“I’m gonna say something, and I know a lot of people [are] gonna talk bad [about it]… Khabib now weighs 200 pounds. If Khabib comes tomorrow and cut to 185, he will stop Israel Adesanya in three rounds, this is my opinion. I see it. He beat heavyweights, light heavyweights, welterweights, lightweights. He’s unstoppable. He’s like a tractor trailer.”
Abdelaziz elaborated that Khabib has an advantage due to being a skilled grappler against a dominant striker like Adesanya. Adesanya’s wrestling is certainly one of his weaknesses. Thus far he was able to avoid good wrestlers thanks to a steady stream of calf kicks and spazzing out of the bottom position. His only loss comes from Jan Blachowicz who was able to control Adesanya for the 2nd half of the fight thanks to well timed takedowns and ground control.
“Styles, if Khabib wants to come back and talk with Dana White, say, ‘Let me fight at middleweight,’ he will finish Israel Adesanya in three rounds because of the style of fights. [Adesanya] cannot stop his wrestling, he cannot stop his grappling. Striking, of course, Israel is the best striker on this planet. But he (Khabib) can come back and fight at middleweight and become a champion today.” Abdelaziz added.
Israel Adesanya is set to headline the event against Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 coming in July.
Meanwhile, Khabib Nurmagomedov has made it clear that he will never return to the octagon after the passing of his father.