Khabib Nurmagomedov's Wrestling Legacy Questioned by Olympic Champion Henry Cejudo

Khabib Nurmagomedov's legendary grappling credentials are being questioned by an Olympic gold medalist. Former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo has publicly discredited the undefeated Russian's wrestling background, claiming Nurmagomedov only pursued combat sambo because he couldn't succeed in Dagestan's primary sport.

Henry Cejudo, a 2008 Olympic wrestling champion, made pointed comments about the combat sports hierarchy in Dagestan. He argued that wrestling is the undisputed king there, and athletes who move to sambo are often those who couldn't make the grade in pure wrestling. "People who do sambo, they can't do wrestling. They can't make it in wrestling. Like Khabib and all these dudes," Cejudo said on the Double Coverage podcast. He suggested the gi used in sambo provides a "handicap" not present in the more athletically demanding sport of freestyle wrestling.

Cejudo's critique directly challenges the foundation of Nurmagomedov's iconic fighting style. 'The Eagle' used his sambo base to achieve a perfect 29-0 professional record and dominate the UFC lightweight division. His grappling was so effective he once landed a record 21 takedowns in a single fight against Abel Trujillo at UFC 160 in 2013. This stark contrast between Cejudo's opinion and Nurmagomedov's proven results in the cage is fueling discussion among fans and analysts.

This isn't the first time Cejudo has positioned Nurmagomedov outside the sport's absolute pinnacle. Earlier in August, during an episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, he argued that the retired champion does not belong in the conversation for the greatest of all time. Cejudo's perspective is rooted in his own elite wrestling pedigree, one of only four UFC fighters to win an Olympic gold medal. He continues to compete in wrestling events, recently scoring a win over top-ranked UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili on the mats. His comments reflect a purist's view that prioritizes foundational wrestling credentials over mixed martial arts results.

Despite the criticism, Nurmagomedov's impact on MMA is indelible. He pioneered the suffocating Dagestani grappling style now seen in champions like Islam Makhachev. Stories about his legendary work ethic continue to circulate, illustrating the relentless drive behind his success. While specific new details from a recent Usman Nurmagomedov interview are inaccessible, such narratives consistently highlight Khabib's famous 100 percent effort in every training session. His influence extends beyond his own fights, shaping a generation of fighters from his region.

The UFC's ongoing roster adjustments have touched Nurmagomedov's circle. In recent cuts, the promotion released one of Khabib's close friends. This move shows the transient nature of fight sports, even for those connected to legends. While the fighter's name wasn't available in the sourced content, such releases are a routine part of the business, often affecting training partners and teammates of established stars.

• Henry Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist, claims Khabib Nurmagomedov pursued sambo after failing to excel in Dagestani wrestling.
• Nurmagomedov retired with an undefeated 29-0 record and holds the UFC single-fight takedown record of 21.
• Cejudo has previously stated he does not believe Nurmagomedov belongs in the MMA GOAT conversation.
• The UFC recently released a close friend of Khabib Nurmagomedov as part of its latest roster cuts.