Daniel Cormier believes Khabib Nurmagomedov would still rank above his protégé Islam Makhachev when it comes to determining the greatest UFC lightweight of all time.
Nurmagomedov retired undefeated in 2020 after establishing himself as one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. Since then, he has remained closely involved with Makhachev, working in his corner throughout the Russian fighter’s dominant run at lightweight and his move up to welterweight.
Cormier, who trained alongside both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev at American Kickboxing Academy, was asked by Jon Anik during the UFC 330 weigh-in show which fighter would come out on top if the two ever fought.
“I mean, honestly, I've seen those guys spar, and it was always so fun. And sparring's different, but I'm telling you, bro, like, Khabib had something different,” Cormier said.
“Like, really. He fought Justin Gaethje and just kind of walked him down and beat him up. Dustin Poirier had him in a guillotine. I never for a second thought he would tap.
“Then when he got him in the (rear naked choke), Dustin's neck was the size of a toothpick, bro. He was going to break his neck with the rear naked choke. He had something that was just different, (that) you can't teach.”
Nurmagomedov finished his career with a perfect 29-0 record and retired as UFC lightweight champion after defeating Gaethje at UFC 254. His dominance at 155 pounds has continued to serve as the benchmark for Makhachev, who went on to capture the lightweight title and successfully defend it multiple times.
Despite Makhachev’s accomplishments, Cormier believes Nurmagomedov possessed an intangible quality that made him virtually impossible to defeat.
“I'm telling you, I don't know who would have beaten him,” Cormier said. “Khabib Nurmagomedov would still be the UFC lightweight champion today if he stayed in fighting. That's how good he was.”
