Would Khabib Have Dominated Tony Ferguson?

Hindsight is always twenty-twenty. In retrospect, it’s easy to speculate how the wrestling powerhouse Khabib Nurmagomedov would have performed against the notoriously unorthodox fighter Tony Ferguson. However, considering the fighters' past performances and their evolution over time, it’s an interesting debate to explore.

The Impact of Previous Fights

No, the beating Justin Gaethje gave to Tony Ferguson would not have set Tony back enough for Khabib to obliterate him. Tony took an inordinate amount of punishment, and it’s widely acknowledged that his stylistic approach became a nightmare for him. Khabib would not have been able to deal with Tony’s style if they had faced each other in the ring.

Khabib's Dominance Over Tony's Prime

Before the Justin Gaethje fight, Tony was close to the end of his prime fighting years. The fight with Gaethje should have taken place two years earlier due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite this, Khabib was always a step ahead and would most likely have won the match regardless of who he faced. However, when Tony was at his peak and unpredictably fit, he had the potential to pull off surprising finishes.

The Fight Dynamics Between Tony and Gaethje

The importance of the Justin Gaethje fight becomes clear when examining the significance of the win. Tony was no longer the clean and precise fighter he had been in his early prime. His fighting style was fundamentally about exploiting chaos and creating opportunities. This explains why people consistently wondered how a Tony vs Khabib fight would play out.

Although Tony had a significant loss against Conor McGregor, he managed to beat Donald Cerrone. Despite facing Gaethje, he still managed to drop him in the second round, albeit just before the bell. However, Gaethje dominated the remaining rounds, making him the victor.

The Fight Against Charles Oliveira

A few months after the Gaethje fight, Tony faced Charles Oliveira. Despite not ending in a win, Oliveira completely dominated Tony from start to finish. More notably, Oliveira outperformed Tony in the wrestling exchanges, drawing significant attention. This results in the question: what if Khabib was in the ring with them?

Evolution of Khabib and Tony Ferguson

From the time of their cancelled UFC 209 fight onward, Khabib improved while Tony seemed to regress. The phrase "worse" is not about becoming less capable but rather taking more damage and growing older. Meanwhile, Khabib was entering his prime and his boxing skills were improving significantly. In a hypothetical fight at UFC 209, it would likely have been more competitive, but Khabib’s dominance over Tony’s style is undeniable.

Khabib mentioned that Tony would never be the same after Gaethje’s beating, and it’s a valid observation. At 37, one can’t expect to perform at the same level as they did at 33. My desire to see Tony make a comeback, especially with the guidance of Freddie Roach, is palpable. However, the odds of this happening are slim, given the wear and tear on his body and the evolution of his style.