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Dana White Explains Why Khabib Nurmagomedov CANNOT Be Considered The UFC's GOAT, Instead Names Two Hall Of Famers

Dana White Explains Why Khabib Nurmagomedov CANNOT Be Considered The UFC's GOAT, Instead Names Two Hall Of Famers

UFC president White has also named his pick for the best active pound-for-pound fighter.

Dana White has named his two picks for the title of the UFC’s greatest ever fighter, with Khabib Nurmagomedov not included.

One of the most dominant fighters in UFC history, former lightweight champion Nurmagomedov called time on his career in October after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 – a victory which took his overall record in MMA to 29-0.

The Russian chose to retire at the relatively early age of 33 following the death of his father, having lost just two rounds across his 13 fights with the UFC - a winning streak which also included victories over Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.

Nurmagomedov called time on his career after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 (Image: Alamy)
Nurmagomedov called time on his career after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 (Image: Alamy)

However, UFC president White believes Nurmagomedov did not spend enough time with the promotion to be considered its greatest ever fighter.

He has instead picked Hall of Famers Chuck Liddell and Ronda Rousey, whilst also naming welterweight champion Kamaru Usman as the best active fighter.

Speaking on YouTube show THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, White said: “It’s so hard.

“I mean Chuck Liddell and Ronda Rousey are two people who really helped build this business, you know, super loyal.

“Right now, I think Kamaru Usman is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, what he’s accomplished in the past few years is amazing.

White named Chuck Liddell (pictured) and Ronda Rousey as the two greatest fighters in UFC's history (Image: Alamy)
White named Chuck Liddell (pictured) and Ronda Rousey as the two greatest fighters in UFC's history (Image: Alamy)

“I think Khabib Nurmagomedov probably could be called the greatest ever, who knows, if he’d stuck around longer. It was unfortunate, the passing of his father.

White added: “You know, he’s just gotten to a point in his life where, you know how that goes too, when you’ve got so much money it changes everything.

“The fight business is a tough business to get up and go to every day when you’ve got that kind of money.”

Nurmagomedov has wasted no time in pursuing a new career after hanging up his gloves.

Rousey was the first female fighter to be inducted into the UFC's Hall of Fame (Image: Alamy)
Rousey was the first female fighter to be inducted into the UFC's Hall of Fame (Image: Alamy)

The Russian has set up his own promotional company, Eagle FC, which is set to hold events in the United States next month.

And White has warned his former fighter about the difficulties of his new role.

“He’s going to find out what it’s like to be on the other side. It’s not as fun as it seems," said White.

“He’s going to learn. If he doesn’t know, he’s going to know.”

White added: “If he calls me and wants advice, I would absolutely give him advice.

“But I think he’s going to learn the hard way.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dana White