Some of the UFC’s most elite wrestlers have continued to dominate the sport in 2025. Several high-profile title fights drew criticism for being one-sided due to the skill gap on the ground. Fighters struggled to counter opponents who could dictate where the fight took place. Without a strategy to neutralize elite wrestling, many competitors found themselves overwhelmed in multiple divisions. Islam Makhachev has improved in all areas, but his elite grappling remains the feature that puts him in the fighter of the year conversation.
The Only Way to Beat Dominant Wrestlers
An MMA veteran who helped introduce a new style of dominant wrestling to the United States says there is only one way to overcome it. Muhammed Lawal, a former Strikeforce champion, emphasizes that fighters must outwork elite grapplers with relentless pace and mental toughness. He compares this approach to how Ross Puritty defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 1998. Lawal explains that technique alone cannot beat these wrestlers, but sheer determination and sustained aggression can create openings. Fighters must push their opponents into uncomfortable speeds, risking bruises, cuts, or takedowns to achieve results.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Move to the US
Khabib Nurmagomedov signed with the UFC in 2012 and immediately joined the American Kickboxing Academy. This decision inspired many fellow Russian fighters to follow him, changing the MMA landscape. Lawal played a critical role by connecting Nurmagomedov with AKA’s head coach, Javier Mendez, setting the stage for Khabib’s historic career. The fighter’s success in the United States highlighted the importance of elite coaching and strategic partnerships.
Makhachev and Chimaev Show Wrestling Dominance
After Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 to claim the middleweight title, Islam Makhachev produced a similar performance against Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight belt. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Lawal used both fighters as examples of wrestlers who require a specific strategy to defeat. He advised that fighters must “go out there and fight them like it’s a tough man contest.” Lawal stressed that only a dogged, relentless approach can challenge wrestlers of this caliber.
Out-Dogging the Best
Lawal draws lessons from boxing history, pointing to Ross Puritty’s upset over Klitschko. He said fighters must make elite grapplers compete at faster paces than they are used to. This approach may result in bruises, cuts, and takedowns, but persistence can create opportunities. “You might get cut up, taken down, elbowed, bruised, or kicked, but if you keep fighting and push the pace, you might be able to do something,” Lawal explained.
Questioning the Longevity of Champions
Lawal avoided predicting if Makhachev or Chimaev will hold their belts through 2026. He highlighted uncertainties about how dominant champions perform against different opponents. While impressed by Makhachev’s title victory, Lawal questioned his ability to maintain dominance against elite fighters like Kamaru Usman, Shavkat Rakhmonov, or Yaroslav Amosov. Similarly, he noted that challenging Chimaev may require a fighter capable of pushing him to his limits. Lawal mentioned Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez as a potential test due to his endurance, emphasizing that nothing in combat sports is guaranteed.
Lawal’s insights underline a simple but demanding truth: to beat elite wrestlers, fighters must combine strategy with relentless determination, pushing the pace beyond what champions expect.
