This is for anyone who missed Rustam Khabilov’s UFC debut on the TUF 16 Finale prelims. Vinc Pichel was the unfortunate soul to welcome the Russian to the Octagon on Saturday night. From the start of the fight Pichel was out matched, and I think he knew it. In less than thirty seconds Khabilov had rag dolled Pichel with the first of many suplexes that would eventually knock Pichel out cold.
For those of you who don’t know, Khabilov is a Sambo practitioner. Not just any Sambo practitioner, but a Combat Sambo world champion. He is so good at what he does that he was awarded the highest sports title in Russia, the International Master of Sports in both Sambo and Hand-to-Hand Combat. When one thinks of the title International Master of Sports in Sambo, there is only one other man that comes to mind, and that’s Fedor Emelianenko.
Maybe I’m going a little over board with this, but I think Khabilov will be in the top 10 at Lightweight by the end of 2013, if he gets the step up in competition he proved he deserves. Pichel is by no means a high level Lightweight in the UFC, but the way Khabilov was able to control the fight and finish Pichel in less than two minutes and thirty seconds makes me optimistic for his future.
With the Lightweight division being one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC I think the Russian can become a top 10 fighter in a year or two if he fights and wins on a regular basis. I would like to see Khabilov matched up with John Makdessi, Mac Danzig, or possibly George Sotiropoulos. Leave me a comment and let me know how you guys feel.
Written by: Josh Leduc