With the exception of Gillespie, none of those men really wrestle throughout their battles.
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Islam Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion, and Aljamain Sterling, the UFC bantamweight champion, have just been acknowledged by Bo Nickal as some of the best grapplers in the top MMA organization in the world. The rising middleweight contender earned a deal with the UFC after graduating from Dana White’s Contender Series. The three-time NCAA Division I national champion, who is renowned for his superb wrestling background, is largely considered as the top MMA organization’s next major prospect.
In a recent interview with Michael Bisping, Bo Nickal included Islam Makhachev and Aljamain Sterling among the top wrestlers on the current UFC roster: “Of course, Islam has a strong wrestling tradition. I mean, my training is unquestionably different from traditional wrestling… His wrestling, though, is rather good. You have men like Aljamain who frequently take men out.” Having said that, Nickal believes that many outstanding collegiate wrestlers miss the opportunity to create a strategy built on their strength on the mat: “The UFC fighters that are currently competing… Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Gregor Gillespie are All-Americans and national champions, respectively.
Read more: UFC Hall-Of-Farmer Khabib Nurmagomedov Hails Magomed Ankaraev As The Future UFC Champion
With the exception of Gillespie, none of those men really wrestle throughout their battles. According to what I can see, the actual wrestling standard in the UFC is now poor.” Charles Oliveira, who held the UFC record for most submission wins, was submitted by Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 to become the new lightweight title. On the same night, Aljamain Sterling defeated an ailing T.J. Dillashaw by second-round TKO to retain his championship. Bo Nickal asserted that many elite wrestlers stray from their base to hone their striking skills when speaking to Michael Bisping in the same interview. Many combatants have found this strategy to be ineffective. He claims that the sensationalism of a knockout and the adrenaline rush that boxers experience after finishing someone spur them on to pursue the finish.
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Stephen Thompson declines the quick turnaround fight and wants Usman next.
