Former UFC Champion Claims Khabib Nurmagomedov Isn't In Conversation For GOAT Status

Khabib Nurmagomedov is not in the conversation for the MMA 'GOAT', according to former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

Khabib retired from the sport in October 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, hanging up his gloves following a stunning submission victory over Justin Gaethje.

Having only lost just TWO rounds in his entire career, many have claimed the Dagestani fighter is right up there when it comes to the best to have ever stepped inside the Octagon.

But Henderson, who beat Frankie Edgar in 2012 to claim the lightweight strap, is adamant 'The Eagle' does not deserve such status.

Image: PA

In fact, he believes there are 10-15 fighters ahead of him in the pecking order.

“Who cares about my opinion?” Henderson said, as per MMA Mania.

"But I’m not gonna put Khabib up there for the greatest ever of all time. You can maybe consider him one of the greats for 155, but as far as one of the greatest of all-time in all weight classes, nah. You might have to miss me on that one. "That’s saying something. Greatest of all time, I think there are a good 10 or 15 above him. I’m one of those purists who is about longevity as well. Somebody who has been there and competed at the top level. Not somebody who is 35-0 but only has really 10 fights against the top-level guys."

Bellator fighter Henderson made three UFC lightweight title defences - the same number as Khabib.

He rates Dustin Poirier as the best all-rounder currently but reckons B.J Penn, another former lightweight champ, is the greatest of all-time in that division.

Image: PA

“For me, B.J. Penn is the greatest lightweight of all time," he added.

"He’s up there for one of the greatest fighters of all weight classes, period. All-time. He did it against the best in the world, at the time they were the best in the world. You can’t complain about he didn’t fight this guy or that guy. At the time that he was fighting, in his heyday, he was fighting the best in the world and he was putting them away. For me, B.J. is up there...”

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier, UFC

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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