Khabib vs Oliveira who will win?

Islam Makhachev won against Charles Oliveira and became the lightweight champion in October 2022.

Now, if Khabib were to face Oliveira, who would win? Some might think Khabib would easily win, but in MMA, you never know what might happen. Khabib is an excellent wrestler, but can he handle Oliveira’s BJJ and grappling skills?

MMA is not just about wrestling; it involves striking, cardio, experience, and more.

Let’s explore the possibilities of a Khabib vs Oliveira matchup.

Khabib made his UFC debut in 2012, while Oliveira was in the Featherweight division from 2012 to 2016.

That’s why they didn’t cross paths earlier. Oliveira moved to the lightweight division when Khabib retired. Khabib almost lost his title to Dustin Poirier, escaping a guillotine-choke.

If Oliveira had been in Poirier’s place, his elite grappling skills might have posed a challenge and possibly handed Khabib his first loss.

Physical Comparison

Now, let’s compare them physically. Khabib was born in 1988, and Oliveira was born in 1989, so age isn’t a big factor.

In terms of height, Khabib is 1.78 m, and Oliveira is 1.77 m. However, Charles Oliveira has a reach advantage with 74, while Khabib’s reach is 70.

Oliveira is more flexible and excels in the clinch position, whereas Khabib is not more flexible in clinch situations. This bout would be a clash between a wrestling legend and a Jiu-Jitsu legend.

Khabib Nurmagomedov:

Strengths: Excellent defensive distancing, great chin, high pressure, good power.

Weaknesses: Lack of head movement, predictable offense, inconsistent accuracy.

Charles Oliveira:

Strengths: Long reach, good offensive distancing, diverse and dynamic striking, excellent clinch striking

Weaknesses: Susceptible to body shots, questionable chin at times, overcommits on offense

Analysis:

In a pure striking match, Charles Oliveira would have the advantage due to his reach, diverse striking, and clinch prowess.

However, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s relentless pressure, durability, and ability to take punishment could wear down Oliveira, especially if Oliveira overcommits on offense.

Ultimately, the outcome would depend on several factors:

Distance control: If Oliveira can maintain his range and utilize his jab and kicks effectively, he could keep Khabib at bay and pick him apart. However, if Khabib closes the distance, he could use his pressure and clinch work to control the fight.

Head movement: Oliveira’s lack of head movement could be a major disadvantage against Khabib’s constant pressure and heavy punches. If Oliveira improves his head movement, he could significantly increase his chances of winning.

Durability: If Oliveira can handle Khabib’s punches and continue to strike back, he could wear down Khabib and eventually win. However, if Khabib’s punches take their toll on Oliveira, Khabib could take control of the fight and win.

Conclusion:

While Charles Oliveira would likely have the edge in a pure striking match due to his technical skills and range, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s pressure, durability, and ability to take punishment should not be underestimated.

The outcome would ultimately depend on how each fighter utilizes their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses.

It’s important to note that both Khabib and Charles are primarily grapplers, and in a real fight, they would likely resort to their grappling skills rather than engage in an extended striking match.

However, this analysis provides a glimpse into their striking capabilities and potential strategies in a hypothetical striking-only scenario.

Wrestling

In a wrestling match between Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Charles Oliveira, Khabib’s wrestling skills appear to be superior based on the following  breakdowns.

Khabib has a more extensive background in freestyle wrestling, judo, and combat Sambo. His early takedown game focused on single-leg shots, employing techniques like the cutback, running the pipe, and turning the corner.

Khabib’s evolution in his wrestling strategy includes transitioning to upper body clinches, body locks, and utilizing a variety of trips and throws.

He has demonstrated proficiency in both single-leg and double-leg takedowns, often setting them up with pressure striking.

Khabib’s relentless approach, mat returns, and ability to adapt his strategy make him a formidable wrestler.

On the other hand, Charles Oliveira, while having trained with Iranian wrestler Alireza Noei to improve his wrestling, is acknowledged as not being on the same elite wrestling level as Khabib.

Oliveira’s strengths lie in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and despite efforts to enhance his wrestling skills, the assessment suggests that Khabib’s wrestling prowess surpasses Oliveira’s.

When comparing statistics, Khabib has a significantly higher takedown defense (85%) compared to Oliveira (56%).

Additionally, Khabib averages more takedowns per 15 minutes (5.32) compared to Oliveira (2.32). These statistics further support the conclusion that Khabib’s wrestling skills are more advanced.

In a hypothetical wrestling match, it is likely that Khabib Nurmagomedov would have the upper hand and be able to secure takedowns and control the match against Charles Oliveira.

Grappling

 Oliveira, is a master of jiu-jitsu, using a variety of submissions like precious gems. He’s great at pulling off tricky moves from challenging positions and defending against submissions.

However, his upright stance makes him susceptible to takedowns, a weakness in his defense. Khabib, on the other hand, is a powerhouse in grappling, known for his legendary takedown defense and ground control.

His wrestling and Sambo expertise shine through in his dominant positions and a mix of strikes and submissions.

In this hypothetical matchup, Oliveira might try to draw Khabib into his jiu-jitsu world, attempting to use his submissions. However, Khabib’s strong takedowns and top control could pose a significant challenge.

The winner would likely be the one who exploits the other’s weaknesses first. Oliveira’s bold submission attempts might expose him to Khabib’s relentless takedowns, while Khabib could struggle against Oliveira’s slippery guard.

Cardio Comparison

Khabib is a Mountainous Engine:

• Relentless Work Ethic: Twice, thrice a day, Khabib’s training was a relentless pursuit of physical and mental endurance. His mantra, “Train, eat, sleep, repeat,” wasn’t just a slogan; it was a lifestyle engraved in muscle and willpower.
• Strength & Power: Heavy weights, low reps – Khabib built explosive power, maximizing his ability to recruit and synchronize muscle fibers, boosting his work capacity without sacrificing agility.
• Mountain Whisperer: Dagestan’s unforgiving mountains became Khabib’s crucible. High-altitude intervals, circuit training, and wrestling drills at 2000m fueled his oxygen-carrying capacity and mitochondrial density, creating a cardio engine built for thin air.
• Wrestling Foundation: Decades of wrestling honed Khabib’s cardio in a unique way. Constant movement, positional battles, and explosive transitions built both muscular endurance and the mental fortitude to stay in the fight under pressure.

Oliveira’s Jiu-Jitsu Dance:

• Early Finishes: 16 first-round wins paint a clear picture – Oliveira is a predator in the early rounds. His jiu-jitsu arsenal is lethal, and he seizes opportunities with electrifying speed.
• Decision Dilemma: With only three decision wins compared to Khabib’s ten, Oliveira’s cardio hasn’t been tested in late rounds as often.
• Jiu-Jitsu Crucible: Grappling’s constant movement and positional battles build muscular endurance like no other. Oliveira’s cardio is honed in a different furnace, one where technique and timing weave a tapestry of submission potential.

Conclusion

Khabib’s relentless training and altitude conditioning built a seemingly bottomless pit of cardio – a mountain of stamina ready to grind down opponents. Oliveira, the jiu-jitsu maestro, dances a different cardio waltz, explosive in bursts but untested in drawn-out battles.

Power Comparison

Charles Oliveira power

Charles Oliveira’s punching power like a sneaky ninja, not a muscle-bound brute. He doesn’t just swing for the fences; he paints his opponent’s face with sharp, precise strikes.

Relaxed and Ready: “Do Bronx” stays cool under fire, his muscles loose and ready to pounce. This means his punches are like flicks of his wrist, not haymakers thrown with all his might. Precision over power!

Bad Intentions, Good Punches: Each jab and hook carries a message: “I wanna win, bad!” This emotional fire fuels his strikes, packing them with extra sting. Remember his fight with Michael Chandler? Every punch was a mini-explosion of bad intentions!

Sneaky Power: Watch his fight with Benil Dariush. Oliveira throws a light kick, then BAM! A cross catches Dariush off guard, leaving him wobbly. That’s the magic of Oliveira’s power – it comes from surprise and perfect timing, not just raw muscle.

Body Like a Spring: He throws shots with his arms hanging low, but when they connect, it’s like a coiled spring snapping. His body whips the punch forward, packing extra punch without wasting energy. He even knocked out Dariush with a haymaker like that!

So, what makes Oliveira a punching powerhouse? It’s not just his strength, it’s his sneaky ninja style – relaxed, precise, and full of bad intentions. He’s a puzzle boxer, confusing his opponents with unexpected power and leaving them wondering: “Whoa, where did that come from?”

Next time you watch Oliveira fight, don’t just look for the big swings. Watch how he sneaks in those sharp jabs and sneaky power punches. That’s where the real magic happens!

Khabib’s Power

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s power might not be like other lightweight fighters such as Charles Oliveira, Conor McGregor, or Dustin Poirier, who are known for their striking abilities.

Khabib’s strength lies more in his unyielding pressure and control during grappling. Unlike some fighters who aim for one-punch knockouts, Khabib’s approach is different.

His strikes are not about raw power but are precise and effective. He emphasizes technique and timing, often using his wrestling skills to create openings for punches and delivering them at just the right moments and angles.

Chin Comparison

When it comes to taking hits, Charles Oliveira has been knocked out by a few UFC fighters, suggesting he might not have the strongest chin. He has also been submitted by some opponents in his career.

On the other hand, Khabib Nurmagomedov has a tough chin. He faced kicks from Edson Barboza easily and won that fight.

Khabib has never been knocked out in his career.

Even against Justin Gaethje, known for hitting hard in the lightweight division, Khabib took those punches and gave some back, eventually winning the match.

So, when we talk about chin strength, Khabib seems to have the upper hand.