sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Khabib Nurmagomedov Settles MMA GOAT Debate By Naming The SIX Fighters On 'One Level' With Him

Khabib Nurmagomedov Settles MMA GOAT Debate By Naming The SIX Fighters On 'One Level' With Him

MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed he had no interest in the MMA GOAT debate after his stunning win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that he is on "one level" of the long-running MMA GOAT debate alongside six legendary fighters.

The 32-year-old Russian superstar notched up an unblemished 29-0 MMA record after his sensational second-round win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

However, Khabib's lightweight title defence in October 2020 marked the end of his illustrious fighting career after announcing his shock MMA retirement.

The Eagle's incredible legacy has seen him enter the GOAT debate alongside the likes of UFC legends Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones.

But Khabib admitted he was not interested in being recognised as the all-time top MMA fighter, saying that he is one of the best in history.

Speaking to ESPN, the former UFC lightweight champ explained that he puts himself on one level alongside Fedor Emelianenko, Anderson Silva, Jones, Daniel Cormier, Demetrious Johnson and GSP.

PA

Khabib said: "After that moment, 24th of October, 2020, I was on the top. After that, what happened I don't care.

"I don't want to put my name like, call me greatest of all time. No, I am one of the greatest of all time.

"I am on one level with Fedor, Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre.

"I am on one level. I don't wanna call this guy greatest, he's number two, he's number three. One of the best."

Read More:

PA

Khabib requested that UFC rank him as the No 1 pound-for-pound fighter after his win over Gaethje -- much to the annoyance of Jones.

The future UFC Hall of Famer's wish came true as Khabib climbed ahead of Jones to the top spot.

Khabib has insisted that he deserved to be the No 1 pound-for-pound fighter ahead of welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and Jones.

"At that moment, I was number one pound-for-pound fighter," he said.

"Nobody can say nothing. It was not Kamaru Usman. It was not Jon Jones, who fights very close fights with all these light heavyweights... He shows against them, very bad performance.

"But what about me? I was mauling everybody."

Featured Image Credit: ESPN/PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, Fedor Emelianenko, Anderson Silva, Daniel Cormier, Demetrious Johnson, UFC, MMA, GSP, Georges St-Pierre