Khabib Nurmagomedov is sure who is the next best lightweight fighter in history after him.
It has been almost a year since Nurmagomedov stepped into the octagonal building last time. However, many people still believe that the lightweight fighter in all current promotions cannot replace him as a “goat”.
In an interview with the media at a recent overseas event, “Eagle” was asked to name who was behind him on the lightweight GOAT list. For Nurmagomedov, it was former UFC two-tier champion BJ Penn who checked all the boxes.
“I think the imitator in the lightweight sector is BJ Penn for a long time,” Nurmagomedov explain“I can explain. Despite many failures (in the latter part of his career), [Penn] Won the lightweight title, defended it, and promoted to welterweight, where he won the belt. “
“Then he lost to one of the best fighters of all time, George Saint-Pierre,” he continued. “So for me, BJ Penn, I think we can put him there.”
In fact, Payne is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. In fact, his reign as both the welterweight and lightweight champion is still one of the most outstanding feats in UFC history.
On the other hand, Nurmagomedov remained undefeated until he officially retired in October last year. His three consecutive UFC lightweight championship defensive games are equal to previous record holders Penn and Benson Henderson.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is known for beating opponents on the ground. In this photo, Nurmagomedov (above) punches Al Iaquinta (below) in the UFC 223 UFC Lightweight Championship at the Barclays Center in New York City on April 7, 2018.
Photo: Ed Mulholland/Getty Images
Attracted by Nurmagomedov’s achievements in the UFC, the promotion chairman Dana White immediately praised him as The greatest warrior of all time.
White said of Nurmagomedov last year: “He is one of the strongest people on the planet. He is just the number one pound-to-pound fighter in the world.” “And seriously, you have to start. Put him in GOAT state with other people you think are GOAT.”
The current UFC lightweight division still has a series of world-class fighters, such as Justin Ge Sijie, Connor McGregor and Dustin Boyle. Therefore, almost everyone wants to fight a super battle with Nurmagodemov.
However, according to White, Nurmagomedov has told him to accept the fact that he is a bit taller than the others, and there is nothing to prove on this point.
“I did talk to Habib,” White Tell Reporter after UFC 257. “He said to me,’Dana, be honest with yourself. I’m a lot higher than these guys. I beat these guys. I don’t know. But it doesn’t sound very positive. Let’s wait and see.”
