MMA WeeklyJon Jones bites back at Khabib Nurmagomedov being called the UFC’s GOAT
There are many ways to look at the career that Khabib Nurmagomedov has had, but nearly anyone can agree that it has been spectacular. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones doesn't disagree with those that say Khabib has had an outstanding, even dominant career. What he does disagree with is those that are now calling him the Greatest of All Time. Even UFC president Dana White, following Khabib's submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Saturday, called Khabib the "baddest motherf---er on the planet." Of course, there probably is some "recency bias" as UFC commentator Jon Anik acknowledged, but that plays a part in what is being argued: GOAT status or official pound-for-pound ranking. "The pressure that Khabib puts on you is unbelievable. Literally didn’t respect his punching power. Just walked right into everything and did what he wanted. "Then the second round, he keeps the pressure on. For that submission, he locks it up, gets it and chokes him out. Unbelievable," White continued. "He is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and you seriously have to start putting him up there at GOAT status with whoever else you think is the GOAT." That's actually an important distinction that White made. While there is an official men's and a women's pound-for-pound UFC ranking, it is not synonymous with being the GOAT, though both are highly subjective. The pound-for-pound ranking lumps all weight classes together, listing the top fighters at any given point in time. The GOAT status is more of a career retrospective ranking. For instance, officially retired UFC fighters are not listed in the pound-for-pound rankings. Randy Couture, Georges St-Pierre, Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, and any other number of highly regarded fighters are not available for ranking. Only fighters currently under contract are available to be considered the current best pound-for-pound fighter. There is no official GOAT ranking. Who is thought of as the GOAT is simply a water cooler or bar top discussion that people have on their own. But in the same vein, Jones has every reason to have the "water cooler" discussion on Twitter with other fighters, pundits, and fans, to make his case for being the GOAT, while still respecting what Khabib has achieved. Here's how Jon Jones compared his career vs. that of Khabib Nurmagomedov https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320105484074905600?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320107090375966720?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320114523320111104?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320114890086887424?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320115622341038080?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320235231081721856?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320236710433714176?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320241288336134144?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320242137481371648?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320245319469133825?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320246368728801281?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320247819957989376?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320248398625214470?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320249146096283648?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320250654950977536?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320251950961602560?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320253759830716416?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320256511466115072?s=20 https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1320260117711917056?s=20 TRENDING > Khabib Nurmagomedov issues his first statement following UFC 254 victory and retirement Related Video > Fighters react to Khabib's surprise UFC 254 retirement (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)
MMA WeeklyKhabib Nurmagomedov announces retirement in emotional UFC 254 Octagon Interview
An emotional Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement following his UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje on Saturday. "The Eagle" defeated Gaethje by triangle choke in the second round of the fight card's main event. During his post-fight interview, the 32-year-old explained his decision to retire. Nurmagomedov's fighting resume will stand with an unblemished record of 29-0. His career spanned 12 years from 2012 to 2020. (Courtesy of UFC) TRENDING > Khabib Nurmagomedov issues his first statement following UFC 254 victory and retirement Related Video > Fighters react to Khabib's surprise UFC 254 retirement (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)
MMA WeeklyKhabib Nurmagomedov closes career with UFC 254 Performance Bonus
In the UFC's final event of its second stint on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov put on a masterful performance in the final fight of his career. The victory not only cemented Khabib's legacy, it also earned him one of the UFC 254 performance bonuses. Performance of the Night: Khabib Nurmagomedov While most would have thought that Justin Gaethje would outgun Khabib on the feet, the champ used a stinging jab and sharp combinations to negate his foe's power punches. He also used his hands to set up his all-important takedowns, one of which cemented the fight. Khabib took Gaethje down late in the first frame, but couldn't find a finish before the clock wound down. In the second round, however, he again put Gaethje on the canvas, this time sinking a triangle choke that put the lights out. It's no surprise that, looking as good as he ever has in the Octagon, Khabib walked away with a $50,000 UFC 254 Performance of the Night bonus. Performance of the Night: Magomed Ankalaev In a rematch that has seen the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 force several restarts, Magomed Ankalaev finally put a stamp on his rivalry with Ion Cutelaba. Ankalaev won their first fight in February of this year, but the bout was considered controversial, as the referee stopped the fight when he felt Cutelaba was out on his feet. Cutelaba immediately protested, and the UFC quickly moved to rebook the fight. Though it didn't happen nearly as soon as originally planned, Ankalaev made sure to leave no doubts at UFC 254. He laid Cutelaba out at 4:19 of the first round, leaving him flat on his back. The victory earned Ankalaev the other UFC 254 Performance of the Night bonus. Fight of the Night: Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood The UFC 254 Fight of the Night honors went to prelim competitors Casey Kenney and Nathaniel Wood. The two fight an exciting back and forth bout that went the distance with Kenney taking the unanimous nod from the judges. Both fighters went home with an additional $50,000, however. TRENDING > Khabib Nurmagomedov issues his first statement following UFC 254 victory and retirement UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje Performance Bonuses Performance of the Night: Khabib NurmagomedovPerformance of the Night: Magomed AnkalaevFight of the Night: Nathaniel Wood vs. Casey Kenney Related Video > Fighters react to Khabib's surprise UFC 254 retirement (Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)
