Khabib Nurmagomedov | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Dana White jibes at Khabib Nurmagomedov over GOAT claim amid retirement: ‘He just didn’t stick around a lot’

UFC CEO Dana White shares his thoughts on the MMA greatest of all-time discussion. MMA has seen a wide…

UFC CEO Dana White shares his thoughts on the MMA greatest of all-time discussion.

MMA has seen a wide range of talent across all generations, but when the often trivial ‘GOAT’ discussion is brought up typically you will get the same few names. Depending on what your requirements for the top spot may be, you’ll usually get Jon Jones, George St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, or if you’re a newer fan, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

However, when asked on his thoughts White feels the answer is obvious. When asked by Lex Friedman on his podcast, White professed former light-heavyweight and current heavyweight title holder, Jones.

“Jon Jones — there’s no debate,” White said. “Nobody can debate who’s the greatest of all time. It’s absolutely positively Jon Jones. He’s never lost. He’s never been beaten in the Octagon ever.

“He destroyed everybody at Light Heavyweight, which at the time was the toughest weight class in the company and the sport,” White continued. “And then he moved up to heavyweight, won easily at heavyweight. And the other thing is that you have to factor in too is longevity. It’s undeniable. You can hate all you want. Jon Jones is the greatest of all time.”

Dana White claims Khabib Nurmagomedov was in the running to be the GOAT

This is all of course despite their long-standing hot-and-cold relationship that has been exacerbated by Jones’ personal issues and contract disputes.

After winning the title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, Jones was expected to bounce back in November of last year, booked to face Stipe Miocic for his first title defence.

Jon Jones shuts down retirement talk ahead of UFC return I can't just walk away — Mandatory Credit: Chris Graythen

However, an injury forced Jones out of the bout, and while nothing has been booked a far more deserving number one contender has emerged in the form of Tom Aspinall.

This has forced a logjam at heavyweight, something that has plagued the division for some time now.

Is Jon Jones — or Khabib Nurmagomedov your GOAT?

Conor McGregor rips UFC enemy Khabib Nurmagomedov for retiring: ‘He’s only a little fool, he went running’

Six years removed from his grudge match with Hall of Fame star, Khabib Nurmagomedov, former two-weight UFC champion, Conor…

Six years removed from his grudge match with Hall of Fame star, Khabib Nurmagomedov, former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has once more hit out at the retired Russian – again accusing him of “running” from a rematch against himself.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to common-foe, Dustin Poirier back in the summer of 2021.

Conor McGregor calls for three round fight with Michael Chandler in UFC return just to wet my beak — Mandatory Credit: Sammir Hussein

And as for Nurmagomedov, the Russian sambo specialist called time on his illustrious career back in 2020, successfully unifying the lightweight titles with a blistering second round triangle choke submission win over then-interim champion, Justin Gaethje.

Immediately linked with a comeback fight the following year as UFC CEO, Dana White attempted to persuade the Russian to fight McGregor in a championship rematch should he have beaten the above-mentioned Poirier in their January rematch, ultimately to no avail.

Conor McGregor hits out at Khabib Nurmagomedov

Maintaining his fierce hatred and rivalry with Nurmagomedov in the time since his retirement, McGregor – who is expected to make his return in a summer fight with Michael Chandler at long last more, blasted the former champion for retiring – accusing him of “running” from both a re-run at the sport of mixed martial arts.

“Fighting a bear is handy,” Conor McGregor told UniLad whilst carrying out promotional work for Road House. “I fought one [Khabib Nurmagomedov] that trained with bears back in the day. He’s only a little fool, he went running.”

Sharing the Octagon in a blockbuster UFC 229 lightweight title fight back in October 2018, McGregor suffered an eventual fourth round neck crack submission defeat to Nurmagomedov – with the pair and both corners engaging in a heated and ugly post-fight brawl following the culmination of the headliner.

What are your thoughts on Conor McGregor’s feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Dana White denies rumor Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov were friends prior to UFC 229 title fight

UFC CEO Dana White says Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov were never friends. McGregor and Nurmagomedov fought at UFC…

UFC CEO Dana White says Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov were never friends.

McGregor and Nurmagomedov fought at UFC 229 and it is the biggest UFC pay-per-view of all time. The lead-up to the fight was full of trash-talk as the two did not like one another. Yet, before the fight, a picture of the two backstage at an event went viral and some fans claimed they used to be friends.

However, Dana White says the two were never friends and instead says there was a bit of mutual respect but once they knew they were on a collision course, everything changed.

“Their rise was at the same time, White told former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman on the Games With Names podcast (h/t talkSport). “The problem you are talking about when people say ‘they were boys’, they were never really boys it was like a mutual [respect], you are dealing with two hardcore f***ing alpha males. These guys are both killers. They both want to be the best. They both wanna win and they are both willing to fight anyone and do anything to be the best. So, when you get those two types of guys there’s no being buddies. Those two are on a collision course before they even knew they were.”

Of course, part of the reason for the two starting to dislike one another was at UFC 223 fight week when Nurmagomedov slapped Artem Lobov who was a close friend and teammate of McGregor. The Irishman then threw the dolly at the bus which led to the fighting later that year.

Conor McGregor targeting summer return

Conor McGregor has said it’s all systems go to return this summer against Michael Chandler.

McGregor hasn’t fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg in the trilogy match against Dustin Poirier. Before that, he suffered a knockout loss to Poirier which was an upset at the time.

Conor McGregor provides new update on UFC return negotiations are ongoing I'm eager for a return — Mandatory Credit: Kate Green

The Irishman is just 1-3 in his last four with his lone winning coming by a 40-second TKO over Donald Cerrone and losing by submission to Nurmagomedov.

What are your thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s spat with Conor McGregor?

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals dark thoughts ahead of Conor McGregor fight: ‘I don’t think I would kill him’

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most…

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most volatile in UFC history.

Six months after capturing the lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, ‘The Eagle’ stepped inside the cage with Conor McGregor in what would become the highest-grossing pay-per-view in promotional history — a record that still stands today.

Nurmagomedov largely dominated the bout with his signature Dagestani wrestling and eventually submitted the Irishman in the fourth round via rear-naked choke.

Looking back on their fierce feud and his victory over ‘Mystic Mac’ at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that under different circumstances, he likely wouldn’t have relinquished the choke until McGregor had fully passed out. …Or worse.

“Would I have let go? No, I wouldn’t have,” he said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “It’s that moment when your emotional state reaches its peak, touching the ceiling. He and I knew what we were going for. It’s not like when you meet someone on the street and start choking him. He is one of the best fighters in the world.

“We were appointed to fight in half a year; we go out and find out who is the best. Would I kill him? I don’t think I would kill him but to the point of passing out, yes. Would I have controlled myself? We’ll never know. How long I would have choked him is a good question. I don’t know.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RED CORNER MMA (@redcorner.mma)

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA two fights later

Khabib Nurmagomdeov would go on to defend his lightweight title two more times against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before laying down his gloves and his gold in October 2020, officially retiring from the sport with a 29-0 record.

Conor McGregor has only won once since his loss to Nurmagomedov, which was a 40-second TKO victory against a past-his-prime Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals dark thoughts ahead of Conor McGregor fight: ‘I don’t think I would kill him’

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most…

Though they only shared the Octagon once, the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is among the most volatile in UFC history.

Nurmagomedov largely dominated the bout with his signature Dagestani wrestling and eventually submitted the Irishman in the fourth round via rear-naked choke.

“Would I have let go? No, I wouldn’t have,” he said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “It’s that moment when your emotional state reaches its peak, touching the ceiling. He and I knew what we were going for. It’s not like when you meet someone on the street and start choking him. He is one of the best fighters in the world.

“We were appointed to fight in half a year; we go out and find out who is the best. Would I kill him? I don’t think I would kill him but to the point of passing out, yes. Would I have controlled myself? We’ll never know. How long I would have choked him is a good question. I don’t know.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RED CORNER MMA (@redcorner.mma)

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA two fights later

Conor McGregor has only won once since his loss to Nurmagomedov, which was a 40-second TKO victory against a past-his-prime Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.

UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov urges son against chasing MMA career: ‘Athletes are not normal people’

Former undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed his son with train in some…

Former undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed his son with train in some form of discipline of mixed martial arts in the future, however, has discouraged him from pursuing a career in the UFC – claiming athletes are far from “normal people”.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder under banner of the above-mentioned, UFC, called time on his unbeaten career back in 2019, off the back of a stunning 29-0 professional mixed martial arts run.

Landing in the Fighter Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame off the back of his retirement, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Nurmagomedov most recently took out former interim lightweight kingpin, Justin Gaethje with a dominant triangle choke submission win – in a career-highlight performance.

Khabib Nurmagomedov talks son away from MMA career

Turning his hand to training and coaching at the San Jose facility in the time since, Nurmagomedov famously led teammate, Islam Makhachev to a title coronation against former champion, Charles Oliveira almost two years ago.

"You just have to keep winning, and at the end of the day, you will fight for the title."

Khabib Nurmagomedov gives career advice to cousin Umar ahead of his #UFCVegas87 fight today.

(via @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/WjiCTB5baW

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 2, 2024

Revealing his youngest son questioned if he himself could fight like compatriot, Makhachev, Nurmagomedov detailed how while he would encourage his children to train in mixed martial arts – he has no interest in seeing them fight professionally.

“I know for sure he’s going to train,” Khabib Nurmagomedov told Miftaah Institute Vancouver about his son. “He just asks me too much questions because when I retired he was only 3 years old. A couple of weeks ago he asked me, ‘Father, can you fight like Islam Makhachev? Because he’s a very good fighter, I never seen you fight like him.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, this is a very good question.’”

“Personally, I don’t want him to become a professional athlete, I’m not gonna hold him [back], but honestly, I don’t want.” Khabib Nurmagomedov explained.

Speaking on the chances of featuring in mixed martial arts again, Dagestan native, Nurmagomedov revealed his manager, Ali Abdelaziz was broached about the prospect of him UFC 300 – which was immediately shut down.

Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov ever fights in MMA again?