Ilia Topuria scoffs at Jon Jones being compared to Khabib and Islam in UFC GOAT debate

Ilia Topuria says Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev don't amount to Jon Jones.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Khabib Nurmagomedov next to Jon Jones in terms of legacy? Not a chance, says Ilia Topuria.

The former UFC lightweight champion retired on top of the sport in 2020, Nurmagomedov laying down the gloves at 29-0 as arguably the best lightweight in UFC history. Some take Nurmagomedov's super dominant career to even farther lengths, labeling him as the greatest fighter of all time.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered by some fans to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

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Topuria Puts Jon Jones Above Dagestan

Of course, everybody has a different rendition on who the MMA 'GOAT' is - popular opinion weighing in the favor of two-division UFC Champion Jon Jones. "Bones" is Ilia Topuria's pick as well, the UFC featherweight champion.

"Has to be Jon Jones," Topuria said on the Fullsend Podcast. "You have to give the credit to that man because to me it's too fun when I see people comparing him with the Dagestani guys, even with Khabib, with Islam [Makhachev]."

"All the respect to all the champions, but for example, Khabib, he has how many? 14-15 fights in the UFC..."

Jon Jones is currently the UFC heavyweight champion following a Hall of Fame career in the light heavyweight division. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

"Jon Jones has 15 title defenses," Topuria added. "For me, he's the number one."

In actuality, Nurmagomedov has 13 fights in the UFC and Jones has 12 title defenses, though he'd have more if the former light heavyweight champion hadn't been stripped to his title twice, once for a hit-and-run incident and the other a drug test suspension.

Jones does hold the record for most title fight wins at 16, only helping his case as the greatest fighter of all time, clearing wave after wave of champions and contenders in his heyday.

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What Khabib & Makhachev Have Done

The retired Nurmagomedov has 4 title fights to his name, his title defenses against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov absolutely dominated the competition, beating Rafael Dos Anjos, Michael Johnson, Edson Barboza, and more at 155lbs.

Khabib Nurmagomedov largely dominated his competition in the UFC. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

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Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, a protege of Nurmagomedov's, broke his record for most title defenses at the weight class (4) with a submission win of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 earlier this year - still having a ways to go before he's in the MMA GOAT conversation himself.

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