In a conversation on the Hustle Show podcast, Khabib offered a controversial perspective on improving MMA. According to the Russian legend, dividing matches into rounds is unnecessary.
"Regular matches should be 15 minutes, title fights 25 minutes. No rounds are needed. Just get in and fight, why divide into rounds?", the 36-year-old former fighter questioned.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Conor McGregor by submission at UFC 229 in 10/2018. Photo: USA TODAY |
Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Conor McGregor by submission at UFC 229 in 10/2018. Photo: USA TODAY
Khabib's idea is that fighters would compete continuously without interruption by the bell signaling the end of a round. This typically gives stand-up fighters a chance to regain a favorable position, instead of being continuously controlled on the ground.
This proposal benefits fighters with a background in wrestling, grappling (wrestling and controlling the opponent without striking), or clinch fighting (situations where two fighters are close, holding each other in a standing position). Without rounds and stand-up resets, wrestlers would have more opportunities to maintain control on the ground without referee intervention.
However, eliminating rounds not only complicates scoring but also impacts the entertainment factor – a crucial aspect of MMA's commercial growth.
Matches with rounds create rhythm, build excitement, and allow fighters to recover and even make comebacks. Knockout blows or striking techniques (attacks using hands, feet, knees, or elbows while standing) within rounds are often more popular with audiences than prolonged ground grappling.
MMA, the world's fastest-growing combat sport, has a strict set of rules, with the UFC as the leading organization whose standards are widely adopted.
In the UFC, matches typically last three 5-minute rounds. There's a 1-minute break between rounds for fighters to receive medical attention and rehydrate.
Championship or main event matches are extended to five 5-minute rounds. The maximum fight time can reach 25 minutes, excluding breaks.
Hailing from Dagestan, a region known for producing top wrestlers, Khabib elevated grappling to an art form, becoming an undefeated icon in MMA history.
Khabib won all 29 of his professional MMA matches, including 13 in the UFC—8 by submission, 8 by knockout, and 13 by decision. He boasts one of the highest ground control rates in UFC history.
A prime example is his victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229, where Khabib dominated the match and won by submission in the 4th round. His wins against Michael Johnson, Edson Barboza, and Dustin Poirier followed a similar pattern, with Khabib taking his opponents down and preventing them from getting back up.
Since retiring, as promised to his mother, Khabib has become a leading MMA coach. Under his guidance, several fighters now dominate various competitions, including Islam Makhachev (27 wins, 1 loss), Usman Nurmagomedov (19-0), and Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1). These fighters all specialize in wrestling and ground control.
Hong Duy (From Marca)
