Gary A Vasquez-USA Today Sports
UFC 165 featured an important lightweight bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Pat Healy. The winner was going to move up the lightweight ladder, where Anthony Pettis is currently the champion after defeating Ben Henderson. Leading up to this fight, both fighters were known for their relentless pace, but Khabib proved to be too much for the durable Healy.
Early in the fight, Khabib and Healy were content to trade on the feet. Healy pressed Khabib, and Khabib countered with flying knees and heavy punches. What proved to be the difference in this fight was Khabib’s superior wrestling ability. Time and time again, Khabib was able to take Healy down, grinding on him for most of the second and third rounds. It was a sterling performance from Khabib, one that solidifies his status as being an elite lightweight fighter.
Khabib is now 21-0 in his fighting career and is 5-0 in his UFC tenure. Khabib is arguably one of the best wrestlers in the division, and training out of American Kickboxing Academy will only help him improve as a fighter. Healy showed great heart in this bout, but it was clear he was a little outmatched in terms of the grappling battle.
Khabib is a fighter to look out for in the lightweight division, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets a title shot, especially if he can continue to dominate his opponents like the way he did tonight against Healy. Khabib earned one of the biggest victories of his career, proving he is a force to be reckoned with.
