Elite wrestlers continued to dominate the UFC throughout 2025. Several major title fights faced criticism for being one-sided. The skill gap on the ground made matches predictable and less entertaining. Fighters struggled to control the pace and location of fights. Without strategies to counter elite wrestling, many competitors found themselves overwhelmed in multiple divisions. Islam Makhachev improved in all areas, but his grappling remains the key factor keeping him in the fighter of the year conversation.
The Only Way to Beat Dominant Grapplers
MMA veteran Muhammed Lawal says there is a single path to victory against elite wrestlers. He stresses that fighters must push pace and pressure relentlessly. Technique alone cannot defeat dominant grapplers. Lawal compares this approach to how Ross Puritty defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 1998. Fighters must create uncomfortable speeds, even risking bruises, cuts, and takedowns. Persistence, aggression, and endurance become the weapons to exploit openings against wrestlers like Makhachev or Chimaev.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Impact on US MMA
Khabib Nurmagomedov signed with the UFC in 2012 and immediately joined the American Kickboxing Academy. His move inspired other Russian fighters to train in the United States. Lawal played a key role by connecting Nurmagomedov with AKA’s head coach, Javier Mendez. That connection helped shape Khabib’s legendary career and influenced the MMA landscape significantly. The success of this partnership highlighted the value of elite coaching and strategic mentorship in professional fighting.
Makhachev and Chimaev Showcase Wrestling Prowess
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 to win the middleweight title. Soon after, Islam Makhachev produced a similar performance against Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight championship. Lawal pointed to both fighters as examples of wrestlers who require relentless pressure to be defeated. He advised fighters to “go out there and fight them like it’s a tough man contest.” According to Lawal, only a dogged, nonstop approach can challenge athletes of this caliber.
Out-Dogging the Best
Lawal draws lessons from boxing history, recalling Ross Puritty’s upset over Klitschko. He said fighters must force elite grapplers to fight at faster paces than normal. This strategy may result in bruises, cuts, or 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.
Uncertainty for UFC Champions
Lawal avoided predicting whether Makhachev or Chimaev will hold their titles through 2026. He questioned how dominant champions will perform against different opponents. While impressed by Makhachev’s title win, he wondered about fighters like Kamaru Usman, Shavkat Rakhmonov, or Yaroslav Amosov. Similarly, he suggested that challenging Chimaev may require a fighter capable of pushing him to his limits. Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez’s endurance makes him a potential test, highlighting the unpredictability of combat sports.
Lawal’s insights reveal a clear truth: fighters can beat elite wrestlers only by combining relentless pace, toughness, and strategy.
