Many would easily consider retired former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as the sport’s greatest of all time. Apart from retiring with an undefeated record off of an impressive win against a game fighter, “The Eagle” also defeated and even dismantled some of the elite names in the UFC’s lightweight division.

UFC president Dana White, however, isn’t too willing to bestow that title upon Nurmagomedov. And in his recent Actually Me segment on GQ, he explained why. “It’s so hard. Obviously, he’s talented enough. Who knows what he could’ve accomplished? But he retired too early,” he said.

“Believe me when I tell you that I’ve tried to convince Khabib to come out of retirement. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of years, but I feel like he left in his prime. Look at what he did to Justin Gaethje right before he retired.”

With a professional record of 29-0, it’s fair to say that Khabib was dominant throughout the entirety of his career. The Russian last fought in October of 2020 at UFC 254, where he defeated Justin Gaethje via submission to retain his title.

This box you are agreeing to our terms and privacy policy UFC president Dana White believes that former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired too early to be considered one of the greatest.

With a professional record of 29-0, it’s fair to say that Khabib was dominant throughout the entirety of his career.

The Russian last fought in October of 2020 at UFC 254, where he defeated Justin Gaethje via submission to retain his title.

Immediately after the fight, the champion announced his retirement from the sport in emotional scenes. However, he then officially confirmed his retirement in 2021, vacating the lightweight title.

Khabib stated that he could not continue fighting after he lost his father Abdulmanap. The Russian promised his mother that he would step away after the Gaethje fight, and that is what he has done.

When it comes to the ‘GOAT’ conversation, White does have one name in mind. “Jon Jones is probably gonna fight at heavyweight this year. Whatever you think about Jon, it’s hard not to call him the GOAT.”

Khabib retired at age 32 with a record of 29-0. But according to his coach Javier Mendez, a return could be possible if Charles Oliveira beats Islam Makhachev at UFC 280.

Speaking on GQ Sports, White was responding to a fan statement pondering whether Khabib could be classed the GOAT of UFC.

In response, White said: “It’s so hard. Obviously, he is talented enough. You know, who knows what he could accomplish, but he retired too early.

“I mean Jon Jones is probably gonna fight at heavyweight this year. You know, whatever you think about Jon, it’s hard not to call him a GOAT.

“Believe me when I tell you, I have tried to convince Khabib to come out of retirement. We will see what happens over the next couple of years, but I feel like he left in his prime. I mean, look at what he did to Justin Gaethje right before he retired.”

Many believe that Jon Jones is the greatest. However, he has not fought since 2020. With that being said, Bones is set to make his heavyweight debut later this year per reports.

After winning the vacant title against Al Iaquinta, Khabib would only defend the title three times against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Gaethje.

On his day, Khabib was a joy to watch as he ran through every opponent and came away unscathed every time.

Despite this, White doesn’t think he can be classed the UFC GOAT, and he doesn’t even make the president’s top five of all time!