When US Olympic Judo Coach Said Kayla Harrison Would Beat Khabib Nurmagomedov

Regardless of each fighters sharing immense expertise of their respective Judo and Sambo practices, followers are positive to be shocked to be taught {that a} United States Olympic coach had beforehand picked now UFC bantamweight contender, Kayla Harrison to beat former light-weight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov in a grappling showdown.

Harrison, a former two-time Olympic gold medal winner in Judo, in addition to a two-time PFL light-weight event winner, is about to make his sophomore outing below the banner of the UFC in October, taking over perennial Brazilian contender, Ketlen Vieira in a title eliminator in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Making his long-anticipated bow within the promotion on the preliminary card of the large UFC 300 occasion again in April, Kayla Harrison landed within the group with aplomb, courtesy of a dominant second spherical rear-naked choke win over former champion, Holly Holm in a bantamweight bow.

Coach picks Kayla Harrison to topple Khabib Nurmagomedov in grappling match

And given her experience in grappling and wrestling, Ohio native, Kayla Harrison was as soon as backed as a extreme risk to the flexibility of the above-mentioned, Nurmagomedov — by a famend Judo head coach.

“I’d put my cash on Kayla (Harrison) except he’s (Khabib Nurmagomedov) at a very excessive degree of Judo,” Jimmy Pedro instructed Lex Fridman throughout a podcast look. “If he’s not at that degree of JUdo, a brown belt or not a high-level Judo participant, she’s going to win.”

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed light-weight champion within the promotion, additionally scooped an induction into the Fighter Wing of their Corridor of Fame following his retirement again in 2021.

Scoring an ideal 29-0 skilled report throughout combined martial arts, Nurmagomedov would bow out of fight sports activities following a dominant second spherical triangle choke submission win over former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje that very same yr.

The victory got here as Dagestan native, Nurmagomedov’s third as undisputed champion, following prior submission wins over each former titleholders, Conor McGregor, and Dustin Poirier.