Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
After Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 — and then abruptly retired — everyone started dubbing “The Eagle” the greatest fighter of all time. Even Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White was quick to dub his now-former champion as such.
Of course, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones — who currently holds the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot on the official UFC rankings — took exception. While he was quick to congratulate Nurmagomedov on his win, he simply doesn’t understand people’s mindset when it comes to the requisites they feel makes a fighter the G.O.A.T. Because at the end of the day, he has 15 world titles on his shelf to Khabib’s four.
“I’m talking to all you Khabib fans out there,” on Instagram (transcribed by MMA Fighting). “Fifteen world titles to your guys’ four, and you guys are really talking about who’s the best fighter ever? You guys are joking, right? “Fifteen to four. Are you guys’ kidding me?”
“Bones” went on to say that the only person that can even come close to overtaking him is former UFC Welterweight and Middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre, who would still have to unretire and win three more titles to take his spot.
“The only person that could possibly come back and challenge my record and what I’ve done in the UFC is possibly Georges St-Pierre. He would have to come back and win two championship fights to tie me,” he added before saying that he is still going strong and has plenty of years ahead of him in the fight game compared to Khabib and St-Pierre, who have already called it a day.
“And I’m not even retired yet. I’m 33 years old. I’ve got a whole other chapter to go through.”
There are those who have a rebuttal for the number of titles argument, which is the fact that Khabib — who is undefeated at 29-0, 13-0 UFC — never seemed to struggle in any fight. Indeed, “The Eagle” was never rocked, dropped or cut open in any of his bouts, making light work of everyone who stood in his way. Jones, of course, has a rebuttal in regards to why he believes Khabib dominated everyone.
“And all you guys who are going with this he’s more dominant argument, he just recently started fighting elite-level competition. Could you imagine me against the No. 10 ranked guy?”
There is no denying the level of competition Jones has faced, taking on and defeating a murder’s row of former champions, Hall of Famers and all-around living legends. And had it not been for the ridiculous disqualification loss he suffered at the hands of Matt Hamill, he would also be undefeated.
Something tells me this isn’t the last we’ve heard on this never-ending debate.