In a rare moment of humility, MMA legend and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov acknowledged that his protégé, Islam Makhachev, may have surpassed him in skill and performance.
The statement, made during his appearance on Nurlan Saburov’s YouTube channel, reignited debate among fans about who truly deserves the title of the greatest lightweight in UFC history.
An Undefeated Record vs. a More Complete Fighter
Khabib retired with an impeccable 29–0 record, including 13 UFC wins. He became champion in 2018 and defended the belt three times before retiring in 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Meanwhile, Makhachev boasts 27 wins and only one loss. He captured the title in 2022 and has defended it four times, most recently against Renato Moicano.
A Humble Admission at Home
Khabib shared a telling moment:
“When I retired, my kids were still young. One of them asked me, ‘Dad, did you fight like Islam?’ I said, ‘I was almost at his level.’”
This wasn’t just modesty—it was a genuine acknowledgment of Makhachev’s evolution into one of the most complete fighters in the division today. However, he still lacks the total aura of dominance Khabib exuded inside the cage.
Dustin Poirier’s Firsthand Comparison
Dustin Poirier, who fought both champions, offered his perspective:
“I think Khabib was physically stronger. But Islam’s pressure was insane. I’ve never felt anything like it… He was consistent the entire fight. These guys are all strong, but they don’t dominate like that. That pressure, especially during the D’Arce choke—it was like a steel grip.”
A Dream Match That Will Likely Never Happen
Even Georges St-Pierre couldn’t settle the debate. Stats are one thing, but fighting style, mental game, and control are another.
Khabib retired at the top, while Islam is still building his legacy.
Their clash will likely remain a fantasy—and perhaps that’s for the best. The mystery fuels the myth, and the legend lives on.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight Ilia Topuria
Naturally, this raises questions about who Makhachev should face next. He has already fought many top contenders, but there are still a few names that could present a real challenge. The most obvious name right now is Ilia Topuria, but another is Arman Tsarukyan, who had to pull out of their scheduled UFC 311 bout due to a last-minute injury.
Of course, everyone will have different opinions on such matters, but in the end, what truly matters is the opinion of those closest to Makhachev. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks about the state of the lightweight division.
Khabib’s view on Makhachev’s toughest possible fight
“My personal opinion — not necessarily [more] dangerous, let’s say more competitive — I think it’s [Arman] Tsarukyan,” Nurmagomedov said of Makhachev’s next potential fight. “I think Arman is a more serious fighter than Topuria. Topuria is a good fighter at 145 but we haven’t seen him at 155. I believe Arman is more competitive for Islam than Topuria.
“I don’t know what kind of agreements Topuria and the UFC had, but from Islam’s side, he already gave two title shots to 145 champions,” Nurmagomedov continued. “Both times Islam won. Now a third time — OK, let’s imagine Topuria moves up and gets a title shot right away, Islam beats him, then Topuria fights again, he loses again. So basically [a] nobody at 155.”
