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UFC Legend Claims Khabib Nurmagomedov 'Took Himself Out' Of MMA GOAT Debate, Names His Top Three Picks

UFC Legend Claims Khabib Nurmagomedov 'Took Himself Out' Of MMA GOAT Debate, Names His Top Three Picks

Michael Bisping said he has "tremendous respect" for fellow UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired from MMA with an undefeated record.

UFC legend Michael Bisping has insisted that Khabib Nurmagomedov should be ruled out of the MMA GOAT debate after retiring in the prime of his career.

Khabib, 33, notched up his 29th professional career win in October 2020 against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

The Eagle’s clash with Gaethje proved to be his final fight after he announced his shock retirement in Abu Dhabi.

Khabib revealed that he promised his mother that he wouldn’t continue his MMA career without his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who passed away in July 2020 at the age of 57.

The former UFC lightweight champ defeated the likes of Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor during his remarkable unbeaten campaign inside the octagon.

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However, Bisping feels that Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones and Anderson Silva had “run against world-class competition” far longer than Khabib did.

PA

Speaking to YouTuber True Geordie, the UFC legend said: “Yeah, he [Khabib] took himself out of it. And if you look, yeah, he didn’t fight the best until the end of his career.

“When you compare that with GSP or Jones or Anderson, their run against world-class competition was far longer.

“But for Khabib, I know it was because of his father passing away, and he made a promise to his mother. So, it’s different circumstances.”

Khabib vacated the UFC lightweight title after his second-round submission win over Gaethje, with the Eagle ruling out a U-turn on his retirement.

The Russian superstar won the then-vacant lightweight title in his unanimous decision victory over Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 in 2018.

PA

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Khabib defended the championship on three occasions, but Bisping feels that his resume doesn’t hold up against the likes of GSP, Jones and Silva.

UFC legend Silva is second for most consecutive UFC title defences in history on 10, while GSP and Jones are behind him with nine and eight respectively.

“But for those reasons, I think when you look at the resumes, even though he was undefeated, the resumes don’t really stack up,” Bisping added.

“And I say that with tremendous respect to Khabib -- far being from me to downplay his career because I would never dream of doing that.”

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, MMA, UFC