For the biggest fight in UFC history between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, you have a high-level striker with unshakeable confidence facing off against arguably one of the most ruthless wrestlers/grapplers in MMA. 

As such, we are going to ask two talented wrestlers and two talented strikers their takes on both the physical and mental keys to victory in the fight. 

Related: Check out Mindset Mike’s article about the value of the mental battle tonight. 

I chose to focus my questions mainly to fighters at Hard Knocks 365 in Florida.  This is a gym known for two things: world-class striking with Henri Hooft and elite wrestling with Greg Jones and Kami Barzini which has yielded them over 30 UFC and Bellator fighters. 

As a result, they attract the gold standard in both disciplines. Today, we sit down with elite strikers like light heavyweights Volkan Oezdemir and Linton Vassell.  We spoke to two wrestlers that spend time at Hard Knocks as well, with four-time Division-1 All-American and 9-0 Bellator Fighter Logan Storley and Chris Wade, NCAA All-American and current PFL Standout. 

I also asked Nurmagomedov's teammate at American Kickboxing Academy, Kyle Crutchmer, his thoughts on the fight. Crutchmer is an undefeated prospect out of AKA and a former All-American wrestler out of Oklahoma State University. 

What do the strikers think about this matchup?

Volkan Oezdemir: No. 2-ranked UFC light heavyweight in the UFC | Hard Knocks 365

“It will be a legendary fight. I’m excited!” 

• WINNER: Conor McGregor

Conor’s Keys To Victory | Physical

• Footwork will be a key when it comes to Khabib’s constant pressure, so controlling the distance and well-placed kicks will break Khabib’s rhythm. 
• Experience gained from extensive boxing training for the Floyd Mayweather fight may pay dividends. 

Conor's Keys To Victory | Mental

• Make Khabib lose his composure by frustrating him and making him rush

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Physical

• Wrestling and Top Pressure
• Relentless forward pressure

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Mental

• Don’t lose composure or rush

Linton Vassell, No. 4 light heavyweight in Bellator MMA | Hard Knocks 365

“Khabib either gets knocked out or Conor gets mauled!

• WINNER – 50/50

Conor’s Keys To Victory | Physical

• Land hard and early
• Make Khabib hesitate and respect is power from the start.

Conor's Keys To Victory | Mental 

• Be his confident and cocky McGregor self that we all know. 

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Physical 

• Pressure Early
• Takedowns from the get-go 
• Relentless forward pressure

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Mental

• Break his will
• Don’t play into mind games

What Do The Wrestlers Think? 

Logan Storley, 9-0 Bellator MMA welterweight | Hard Knocks 365 

“I believe that Khabib has more ways to win, but I believe Conor wins in the second [round]with that left.”

• WINNER – Conor McGregor

Conor’s Keys To Victory | Physical 

• He needs to move his feet and dig underhooks on the cage.

Conor’s Keys To Victory | Mental

• Conor as usual has the mental game down to a tee. 

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Physical 

• Use fakes and feints/close the distance
• Must set up his shots to cover the distance Conor creates with his movement.

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Mental

• Rely on killer instinct
• Resisting Conor’s mental games and sticking to his game plan is his best bet.

Chris Wade, 12-3 PFL standout, Former UFC | Long Island MMA/Hard Knocks 365 

“[Khabib] aligns a lot with me and being raised in wrestling – humble and getting the job done.”

• WINNER – Khabib Nurmagomedov, Round 1 TKO from side mount

Conor’s Keys To Victory | Physical 

• Left straight, use his uppercut and his front kicks to keep Khabib off his wheels 
• Utilize his great footwork to control the center and do not put his back on the cage.  
• Keep his space and range and he is going to be sitting pretty.

Conor’s Keys To Victory | Mental

• If he gets taken to the mat at all it could be the end of him.Maintain laser focus when Khabib is coming forward.
• Cannot take mental breaks on the cage or in close

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Physical 

• Trap Conor against the cage early and tie him up.  
• Dirty box and wear on him while he is fresh. 
• Slow Conor down in the early rounds when he is most dangerous.

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Mental

• Don’t let the trash talk make him fight too emotionally
• He needs to be himself, stick to the game plan
  
  

Kyle Crutchmer - Khabib’s Teammate at American Kickboxing Academy

“Khabib will smash this guy.” – in his best Khabib Voice

• WINNER – Khabib Nurmagomedov

Conor’s Keys To Victory: No Comment

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Physical

• Make the fight his fight; he's going to need to force him to wrestle.

Khabib's Keys To Victory | Mental

• Just needs to trust his game plan! Stay on the mission. Don’t get distracted by the gimmick!

Strikers and wrestlers respect one another’s games, but the consensus is a tie. 

Who do you you have for the fight—and why? 

Mindset Mike is the director of Martial Arts Mindset, a systematic mindset training program used by many professional fighters in the UFC, Bellator, Legacy, Invicta, and other major promotions. For more information on the program or the concepts presented, sign up for a FREE trial session at www.martialartsmindset.com. 

Follow on Twitter at @mindset4mma, @wrestlingmindse, and Instagram at @mindset_mike, @martialartmindset, and @wrestlingmindset.