Khabib Nurmagomedov Not Being the GOAT Explained by Dana White With Islam Makhachev Comparison

UFC CEO Dana White reveals how Islam Makhachev's dominance supersedes Khabib Nurmagomedov in the GOAT conversation.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Not Being the GOAT Explained by Dana White With Islam Makhachev Comparison

Dana White questions Khabib Nurmagomedov's standing in the GOAT debate (via Yahoo Sports, X)

Khabib Nurmagomedov cemented his legacy in 2020 and has since focused on coaching two-division champion Islam Makhachev, his longtime teammate. Makhachev is now set to defend his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.

Nurmagomedov retired at UFC 254 after submitting Justin Gaethje in the second round. His decision came after his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, passed away earlier that year. However, UFC CEO Dana White has since maintained that Nurmagomedov retired too early and still had more to achieve.

The GOAT debate has remained a major discussion since Nurmagomedov’s retirement, with Makhachev earning praise for chasing two-division championship success. His rise has added another layer to comparisons with his teammate. This difference has also become central to White’s recent stance on the GOAT debate.

Obviously, Islam has accomplished a lot more than Khabib because he fought longer. Who knows what Khabib would have accomplished if he had stayed in the game? And realistically, if Khabib had done what everybody knows he could have done, he definitely would be the GOAT.

Dana White via TMZ Sports

Nurmagomedov’s commitment to retirement became clear after Daniel Cormier revealed he rejected a $40 million UFC comeback offer. DC said the former champion turned down the offer two years earlier, despite the enormous financial incentive. The revelation further showed how firmly Nurmagomedov had moved on.

White has consistently backed Jon Jones as the UFC GOAT, but recently considered Alex Pereira for the honor. Pereira was pursuing an unprecedented third divisional title when Ciryl Gane stopped him at UFC Freedom 250. That setback ended the Brazilian superstar’s bid for another historic championship achievement.

White has long appreciated Makhachev’s rise, but his growing popularity still surprised the UFC boss. Ahead of UFC 322, White was surprised by the attention the Dagestani superstar generated at Madison Square Garden. His victory over Jack Della Maddalena further boosted his status as a major UFC star.

However, Nurmagomedov’s impact on MMA extended far beyond his performances inside the Octagon. His success helped open doors for many fighters from the Caucasus region, giving them greater opportunities. His dominant grappling style also laid a blueprint for the next generation of Dagestani fighters.

This is not the only disagreement between Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov since his retirement. In May 2026, ‘The Eagle’ responded after the UFC head honcho linked his wealth to his decision to leave MMA. The contrasting views now extend to the GOAT debate, adding another chapter to their differing perspectives on his legacy.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov weighs in on Football’s greatest rivalry

Khabib Nurmagomedov has long been a passionate football fan, with the sport remaining a major interest outside MMA.

He has followed football since childhood and has attended several football events. The former UFC champion is also a major Real Madrid supporter and has visited the Santiago Bernabeu several times.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cristiano Ronaldo
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cristiano Ronaldo (via X)

The Dagestani legend has maintained a close friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo since they first met in Madrid.

Their relationship developed through their shared sporting interests, and the pair have met several times since, including at Manchester United’s Old Trafford in 2021.

The Messi-Ronaldo debate has dominated football for years, with both producing extraordinary career numbers.

Ronaldo has more goals, while Lionel Messi has more assists and Ballon d’Or awards, with eight compared to Ronaldo’s five. Their rivalry pushed both players to historic levels, leading Nurmagomedov toward a diplomatic view.

Would Messi be Messi without Ronaldo? Would Ronaldo be Ronaldo without Messi? Those are big questions. By competing against one another, they pulled so far ahead of the rest. Their rivalry truly elevated the entire sport.

Khabib Nurmagomedov via The Lex Fridman podcast

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s view was clear as he considered whether Messi could have reached the same level without Ronaldo.

He suggested their rivalry pushed both players beyond their generation, making each other greater. The Ronaldo fan ultimately struggled to separate the two when discussing football’s greatest player.

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