Glover and Khabib training. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/gloverteixeira
Glover Teixeira believes Khabib Nurmagomedov should rethink his team's focus. In the main event of UFC Shanghai , Umar Nurmagomedov , the former champion's cousin, was brutally knocked out by Song Yadong . This result led the veteran Brazilian to point out a potential vulnerability in Russian fighters who rely on wrestling as their main weapon inside the octagon.
During an appearance on the 'Overdogs Podcast', Glover assessed that top-level Russian wrestlers, including those trained by Khabib, need to significantly improve their striking. According to the former light heavyweight champion, excessive specialization in grappling leads opponents to increasingly study ways to neutralize this characteristic, making the wrestlers' style more predictable and difficult to impose.
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“These Russian wrestlers, who are high-level and part of Khabib's team, are going to have to improve their striking. Because the guys are seeing this and thinking: 'How are we going to stop these wrestlers?' They're picking up on the guys' strengths and becoming harder to face. I think it's getting more difficult for the wrestlers,” said Glover Teixeira.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's team continues to dominate in the UFC.
Khabib, Makhachev, Umar and Usman at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Although Glover Teixeira 's ranking is based on a recent result, Khabib Nurmagomedov 's team remains dominant in the UFC. Islam Makhachev , the main athlete of the Russian clan, is currently number one in the pound-for-pound ranking and broke Anderson Silva 's record for the longest winning streak in the organization, with 17 consecutive victories.
Furthermore, the Russian became a double UFC champion, winning titles in the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) and welterweight (up to 77 kg) divisions.
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