In an intriguing statement, a U.S. Olympic Judo coach once predicted that Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, could defeat former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in a grappling match. This prediction surprised many, as both fighters are highly skilled in their respective disciplines, with Harrison excelling in Judo and Nurmagomedov in Sambo.
Kayla Harrison, who has transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), has already made a name for herself. She won two Professional Fighters League (PFL) lightweight tournaments and is now a top contender in the UFC’s bantamweight division. Harrison is scheduled to face Brazilian fighter Ketlen Vieira in a UFC title eliminator match in October, which will be her second appearance under the UFC banner.
Harrison made her UFC debut earlier this year at the highly anticipated UFC 300 event, where she delivered an impressive performance. She defeated former bantamweight champion Holly Holm with a second-round rear-naked choke, showcasing her dominant grappling skills. This victory solidified Harrison’s reputation as a formidable competitor in the bantamweight division.
The idea that Harrison could beat Nurmagomedov in a grappling contest came from Jimmy Pedro, a respected Judo coach, during a podcast appearance with Lex Fridman. Pedro explained that unless Nurmagomedov had reached a very high level in Judo, Harrison would have the advantage. He specifically pointed out that if Nurmagomedov’s Judo skills were not at the level of a black belt or higher, Harrison would likely come out on top.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired from MMA in 2021 with an unblemished 29-0 record, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport. Known for his dominant wrestling and grappling skills, Nurmagomedov secured multiple high-profile victories during his career, including submission wins over former UFC champions Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. After defeating Gaethje in his final fight, Nurmagomedov retired as the undisputed lightweight champion and was later inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Despite his grappling prowess, Pedro’s assertion that Harrison could beat Nurmagomedov in a pure grappling contest stems from Harrison’s deep expertise in Judo, a sport in which she achieved remarkable success at the Olympic level. While Nurmagomedov is highly skilled in Sambo and wrestling, Pedro suggested that Judo’s technical demands would give Harrison the upper hand unless Nurmagomedov had significant Judo experience.
This hypothetical matchup between Harrison and Nurmagomedov, although unlikely to happen, underscores the respect Harrison commands in the world of combat sports, especially in the grappling domain. Harrison’s continued rise in the UFC, alongside her impressive Judo credentials, makes her one of the most exciting talents to watch in MMA.
