The debate over the UFC lightweight “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) is as heated as ever. While Khabib Nurmagomedov is the unanimous choice for many, UFC commentator Joe Rogan shocked fans by naming Hawaiian legend BJ Penn as his top lightweight of all time.
Khabib… the perfect record
With an undefeated resume (29-0) and three title defenses against top names – Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje – Khabib dominated with relentless wrestling and an iron mindset. For most, those numbers cement his legacy as the GOAT. But Rogan argues that statistics don’t tell the whole story.
Joe Rogan: “BJ Penn was unbeatable”
On his podcast, Rogan recalled BJ Penn’s prime years:
“They always say Khabib is the greatest lightweight of all time… and maybe he is. But the BJ Penn who fought Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Diego Sanchez—that version of BJ was unbeatable. His submissions were insane, his striking could knock you out standing.”
For Rogan, the “prime BJ Penn,” especially during his training with Marv Marinovich, was capable of challenging anyone in lightweight history.
Khabib’s legacy vs. BJ Penn’s legacy
Khabib’s legacy is often debated because of his early retirement and the relatively short list of elite opponents at his peak. BJ Penn, on the other hand, represented a golden era of lightweight MMA, combining technique, creativity, and warrior spirit. The comparison goes beyond records—it’s about influence and impact.
The new generation rises
With new stars like Ilia Topuria aiming to carve their own path and break records, the GOAT debate in the lightweight division is far from over. The story continues with the next generation.
