Daniel Cormier believes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s flawless career gives him an edge over every other fighter in the MMA GOAT debate.
Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 as the undefeated UFC lightweight champion, walking away with a perfect 29-0 professional record. “The Eagle” went 13-0 inside the UFC, captured the lightweight title by defeating Al Iaquinta, and successfully defended it three times before retiring after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020.
Cormier, a fellow UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion, believes that a perfect record separates Nurmagomedov from the other names typically mentioned in the GOAT conversation.
I don’t include Jones and Anderson Silva,” Cormier said in an interview with ALF Global. “I don’t think if you have any type of drug-testing issues, you don’t get to be in the GOAT conversation.
For Cormier, the debate ultimately comes down to Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre, but the Russian’s undefeated record gives him the advantage.
For me, it boils down to Khabib and Georges St-Pierre, but I think Khabib because he’s undefeated,” Cormier said.
“DC” explained that remaining unbeaten in MMA is incredibly difficult, particularly for fighters who face dangerous competition early in their careers.
In fighting, it’s so easy to lose,” Cormier said. “Especially in Russia, because when you’re 5-0, 6-0, you’re fighting absolute killers. You’re fighting killers early. It’s easy to make a mistake and lose.
He pointed to Jon Jones as an example, arguing that even one of the most accomplished fighters in MMA history eventually suffered a defeat.
Think about this: Jon Jones, for as good as he is, he has one loss. Why? He made a mistake,” Cormier said.
“The Eagle”, however, never made that mistake during his 29-fight career.
Khabib never made a mistake, never got himself disqualified, never got caught in a submission. He made no mistakes,” Cormier said. “Twenty-nine times to walk into that Octagon against the best guys in the world and win 29 times?
Cormier also compared Nurmagomedov with other legendary fighters, including St-Pierre and Demetrious Johnson, who both suffered defeats during their careers.
I don’t even really know why more people don’t share this opinion because Georges St-Pierre has two losses. Demetrious Johnson, one of the greatest, he has losses,” Cormier said. “This guy never lost. Everybody lost, but he never lost.
