If you’re into martial arts at all – and even if you’re just a human being with any interest for sports – then you know who Khabib Nurmagomedov is. The Dagestani fighter has been (and still is, despite being retired) a force to be reckoned with; he sports a 29-0 professional MMA record, out of which 11 wins came via submission.
But even the best of the best have had their losses. Even Khabib… Like when he lost a grappling match against the first Russian BJJ black belt, Leonid Gatovskiy, back in 2009.
KHABIB VS. FIRST RUSSIAN BJJ BLACK BELT
The match between the two started off with Gatovskiy, the first Russian BJJ black belt, trying to pass Khabib’s guard. After some battle, he managed to do so – and establish Side Control (pay attention to how he stays low on Khabib’s hips, not worrying himself about grabbing his head).
Khabib attempts to retain guard again and again, but to no avail. Finally, he manages to turn and turtle up, after which he stood back up on his two feet.
Gatovskiy went for a Double Leg, but Nurmagomedov sprawled and threatened him with a Guillotine Choke. Nevertheless, Leonid turtled up himself, scooted out, and went for a Triangle.
It was, seemingly, a bitter battle for Khabib to not get submitted. After the referee restarted the match in the middle, Khabib finally made his escape and ended up in Leonid’s Closed Guard.
Not much happened from there, except at the very end; when Nurmagomedov opened up his opponent’s guard and went for a guard pass. Leonid got him into Half Guard instead, from where Khabib was trying to get the Kimura… But the time ran out and Leonid was declared as the winner.
Watch the full match on the video below:
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