AI Predicts How Gordon Ryan vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov Would End in a Grappling Fight

Speaking about his chances of winning a match against Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJJ king Gordon Ryan once claimed that a fight against ‘The Eagle’ would be an easy one for him. He said, “Generalist(s) usually won’t beat specialists in their domain. Generalists never beat the absolute best specialists. A submission grappling match wouldn’t be competitive, objectively. Khabib is a generalist. These are very silly questions lol. No one who specializes in jiu-jitsu can beat me. Why would an MMA fighter be able to?”

But is it true? Whether it’s boxing, MMA, or grappling, these “what if” possibilities fuel endless discussion among fans of combat sports. However, there is no denying that Ryan, widely recognized as the greatest no-gi grappler of all time, vs. Khabib, the unbeaten former UFC lightweight juggernaut, would have been a dream fight if the Dagestani had not retired from the sport. But who would’ve won? Well, we asked AI to tell us the possible outcome, and the results were surprising, to say the least. So, without further ado, let’s find out!

Grappling Credentials:

Gordon Ryan

Gordon Ryan is a legend in the world of submission grappling. The multiple-time ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) champion has revolutionized the sport with his technical genius and unique style. The 29-year-old is a menace who is well-known for his mastery of leg locks and positional superiority, having defeated the best of the best in the world.

As precise as an archer, his leg lock systems, developed under John Danaher’s supervision, have become the stuff of legend in the sport. So much so that many of his opponents might still get nightmares of it. As a result, it prompts many of his opponents to approach him with caution. Aside from his technical arsenal, Gordon Ryan’s peak physical shape and bulk also contribute to his domination in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

On the other hand, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s grappling skills are very MMA-specific. With a perfect 29-0 record, Nurmagomedov’s peak ground-and-pound skills have become a trademark of his. While he never competed in pure grappling tournaments, his background in sambo and wrestling which he mastered under the legendary vision of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov makes him a high-level threat to any opponent.

Khabib’s style is based on putting constant pressure on his opponent through. seamless takedowns, making sure that his opponent is on the defensive all the time. Once on the ground, it’s nights out for the opponent even before he could signal to throw in the towel. While Nurmagomedov’s wrestling may not adhere to traditional submission grappling standards, his effectiveness is undeniable.

The Style Matchup

This matchup is an exciting one since it offers major contrast. While the BJJ king thrives in submission-only or point-based grappling, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s strength lies in maintaining control of his opponent through takedowns and asserting his dominance through his ground-and-pound skills. While Gordon Ryan’s proficiency in grappling-specific rule sets such as ADCC makes him a nightmare for opponents.

His ability to attack from any position, particularly guard, would present a significant problem to ‘The Eagle.’ Another factor is size. It is also worth noting that Ryan frequently fights at around 88-99 kg; on the contrary, Nurmagomedov was a lightweight who fought at 70 kg (although a bit heavier on fight night). This difference would be a major advantage for the 29-year-old BJJ icon in terms of strength and leverage.

However, this does not rule ‘The Eagle’ out. Nurmagomedov’s conditioning and ability to retain control over opponents would be the most difficult test for Gordon Ryan. Furthermore, there is a reason why Nurmagomedov is unscathed in MMA. Nurmagomedov thrives at keeping battles in his comfort zone. While Ryan’s grappling is fast and all about being on the offensive, the Dagestani’s grinding technique may counteract that explosiveness. So, what does the fight look like?

Potential Outcome

Khabib Nurmagomedov starts the fight being his usual aggressive self, attempting single-leg takedowns that the BJJ king manages to skillfully defend against. While ‘The Eagle’ manages to secure a few takedowns after a few failed attempts, Gordon Ryan too manages to escape while using a few counters of his own.

Midway through the fight, Ryan finally goes on the aggressive and sweeps Khabib and secures the mount, sending the 29-0 into full defense.  The Dagestani’s bridge provides space, but Ryan swiftly moves to side control and then to a threatening leg entanglement. As the clock ticks down, Khabib attempts a last-ditch takedown. Ryan responds with a flawless back take, securing a body triangle.

Despite Khabib’s determined defense, Ryan secures a rear-naked choke, resulting in a submission victory for the BJJ king as he proves why he is the greatest grappler in the realm of combat sports. Well, it looks like AI has given the point to Gordon Ryan, but it is worth noting that this does not discredit Nurmagomedov in any manner. He is and remains a legend of the sport. But what do you think? Do you agree with the outcome? Let us know in the comments.