WATCH: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC Debut

Before he became one of the most feared men in the UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov was a 16-0 fighter who never fought inside the United States. Now, Khabib (28-0) is the UFC Lightweight Champion and a dangerous wrestler known all over the world.

Even if the UFC 249 fight between him and Tony Ferguson is in question, it is always a good thing to look back at where he started with Dana White’s promotion. Check out the above video of Khabib’s UFC debut against Kamal Shalorus from 2012 in Nashville.

Right away, Khabib got the takedown, and at one point, the Russian tagged Shalorus and started the vicious ground and pound we have known from Khabib. The second round saw his dominant wrestling on display, and the same came in the third before he ended it with a rear-naked choke.