UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the best lightweight in the promotion's history despite Charles Oliveira's recent brilliance.
Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 as one of the greatest fighters to grace the Octagon having beaten Justin Gaethje in his final bout to retain his status as an undefeated champion. Along the way, Nurmagomedov defeated the likes of Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, and was notorious for his dominant wrestling attributes.
Oliveira has also been extremely impressive at 155lb and will take on the Russian's undefeated protege Islam Makhachev in a title clash next Saturday night at the Etihad Arena. However, when comparing the Brazilian to Nurmagomedov, former UFC star Sonnen claims the latter was superior because he was "never once in trouble".
"Forget about the 61 seconds against Poirier, forget about the four minutes against Gaethje," Sonnen said when assessing the pair on his YouTube channel. "You can back the tape up to Michael Chandler. Every single one of those fights have a single theme – which is Charles almost lost. That's the difference.
"Whether Khabib was a little bit slower and a little bit more steady, he was never once in trouble. Those two never met up, it was the match-up that we did even discuss. When Khabib was here, I don't even know how close Charles was, there was still massive talk just for time frame of getting Khabib in with Ferguson. So then Charles emerged and we go 'my god how good is this guy' and he was here at the same time as Khabib and that is relevant.
"How can we say Khabib is the absolute best if we have got the guy who is next in line, he was a guy who was ranked at six or seven or eight or whatever he was. So based on what have I just told you we know there is a belief that we put Khabib at one and Charles at two but we understand that Charles can pass Khabib."
Who do you rank as better - Khabib Nurmagomedov or Charles Oliveira? Let us know in the comments section below!
Nurmagomedov shared similar opponents with Oliveira including Gaethje and Poirier, submitting both men in sensational fashion. A fantasy fight between the Russian and Oliveira has been talked up by the pair, with the Brazilian claiming he has the tools to bring his rival out of retirement if he beats Makhachev next weekend.
"It would take a phenomenal U-turn for Nurmagomedov to come away from his promotional career with Eagles FC and planned coaching stint, but Oliveira believes he could return to sort out the division's problem. I’ll beat him," Oliveira told Ag Fight. Who knows, maybe you [Nurmagomedov] come of retirement and come too? Each one says what they want.
"I am the division’s problem. I have some of the best jiu-jitsu in the division and in the UFC. I think these guys are talking too much. They want to get in my mind, but that’s not possible. I’m going to say it; I’ll beat Islam Makhachev and then challenge Khabib to come back from retirement."
