KHABIB GETS HIS GOAT
He could be Greatest Of All Time says Dana
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV’S emphatic victory over Justin Gaethje has cemented his status as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
That is the view of UFC president Dana White after the Russian retained the nowvacant lightweight title last Saturday with a second- round submission victory in the main event of UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.
Moments after registering his third title defence – which he went into mourning the loss of his father Abdulmanap – Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA.
The 32- year- old walks away from the UFC with a perfect 29- 0 record, which White believes has put him in serious contention to be considered the sport’s greatest fighter.
“He is one of the toughest human beings on the planet and the No. 1 pound- for- pound fighter,” said White.
“You have to start putting him in the GOAT status with whoever else you think is the GOAT.”
Nurmagomedov’s decision to fight after the passing of his father, who died from Covid- 19 complications, surprised White, who added: “What this guy has been through... we are all lucky we got to see him fight.”
White ( inset) was blown away by how easily ‘ The Eagle’ le ran through Gaethje, saying: ng: “When he started to go o for the armbar in the first round, I’m like,
‘ Oh my God, he’s going to try to pull off an armbar!’
“Then the second nd round, he keeps the pressure essure on him. For that submission, I was like, ‘ Aw nah’. He locks it up, gets it and chokes him out. Unbelievable.”
Nurmagomedov’s decision to
bring the curtain down on his career has left a major void in the UFC’S stacked lightweight division.
White would love for the Dagestani destroyer to reverse his dec decision to hang up his glov gloves but insists he w won’t try to convince h him to return to the o octagon.
“I don’t ever chase g guys,” said the 51- yearold. ol “If the guys want to figh fight, let them fight. If they don’t do want to fight, they don’t want to fight.
“Let him take some time off and heal. Not physically, but emotionally, with what he’s going through from losing his father.”