Although he’s regarded as one of the most dominant grapplers in MMA history, Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t even chart in the top 10 of one key UFC stat.
The former lightweight champion, who retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, the last 13 wins of which came in the UFC, falls well short of the promotion’s top 10 for career takedowns. That leader is former bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili with 119, and 68 has former champ Rafael dos Anjos and former title challenger Demian Maia in 10th.
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Nurmagomedov wrapped his UFC career with 52 takedowns in 13 fights, which is a robust four per outing. Few would argue against that being an exceptional number.
But what makes it a little bonkers is the fact Nurmagomedov got 40 percent of his total UFC takedowns in one three-round fight.
At UFC 160 on May 25, 2013, Nurmagomedov had a lightweight fight with Abel Trujillo in Las Vegas. Tensions and a shove at the weigh-ins led to their separation, but when fight night arrived in the desert, it was a one-sided affair.
Nurmagomedov landed 21 takedowns in their three-round fight and cruised to a decision win. Those 21 set the standard, and it hasn’t been touched. In fact, the UFC record for a five-round fight is held by Dvalishvili – with 20. He had two more rounds and still is short of Nurmagomedov’s record.
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Take a look back at the ex-champ’s record-setting performance in the video above, as well as the photo gallery below.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: May 25, 2013, MMA history: Khabib sets takedown mark at UFC 160
