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In the world of mixed martial arts, Khabib Nurmagomedov is a name that needs no introduction. The former UFC Lightweight Champion is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, with an impressive record of 29-0.
In 2022, it was reported that Khabib Nurmagomedov had expressed an interest in training French heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane in Dagestani wrestling. This news immediately caught the attention of the MMA community, with fans and analysts alike speculating on what this could mean for Gane's career.
Dagestani wrestling, also known as Khabib's fighting style, is a form of grappling that emphasizes takedowns and ground control. It has been a key factor in Khabib's success, allowing him to dominate his opponents and maintain an undefeated record.
For Gane, who was already considered one of the most promising heavyweights in the UFC, the prospect of learning from Khabib was certainly an exciting one. Despite his impressive striking skills, Gane's grappling had been called into question in some of his previous fights, and training with Khabib could potentially fill that gap in his game.
Last weekend's main event featured Gane and Jon Jones in a heavyweight title bout. Bon Gamin came into the fight fresh off a shocking knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa, while Bones made his comeback following a three-year absence.
The Frenchman, however, found it to be too much of a moment, and two minutes into the first round, Jones had already forced him to the ground and secured the decisive win with a guillotine choke. Following his defeat at UFC 285, Ciryl Gane will probably regret not training with Khabib Nurmagomedov in Dagestani wrestling.
The defeat to Jones marked Ciryl Gane's second loss in a heavyweight title fight. In January 2022, the 32-year-old was defeated by Francis Ngannou in a unanimous decision to lose the championship. Like Jones, "The Predator" decided to employ wrestling to defeat Gane since they saw it as the French fighter's disadvantage.
UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov promised to teach Gane Dagestani wrestling after his defeat by Ngannou. In a message to "Bon Gamin", Khabib promised that if Gane started working under him for a year or two, he would win the title.
"Ciryl Gane come to Dagestan brother. You have to come to Dagestan, stay there one and a half, two years, learn about wrestling...We have a lot of heavyweights who can wrestle with him. He [has] to learn wrestling and after a few years he can be champion.”