Following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, a new slew of discussion regarding MMA’s GOAT swept across social media.
The GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate is a topic that captures the essence of sports itself: competing against your peers to prove yourself the ultimate victor. In a sport like MMA, where the goal is to physically dominate your opponent in a test of each person’s combat skills, that discussion is not only important but also amplified.
Khabib Nurmagomedov capped off his spotless 29-0 record with a win and title defense against interim-lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Discussion sparked the moment the now-retired champion placed his gloves on the octagon’s floor. MMA fighters, fans and reporters alike felt the immediate need to give their opinions on Khabib’s career.
Is he one of the top five best MMA fighters ever? Is he top four? Perhaps he’s top three? Top two…? Or maybe, just maybe, he’s the the greatest fighter MMA has ever known.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retires 29-0. I believe him, he won’t be back. Promised his mother this was it. He has my vote as greatest fighter of all time.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 24, 2020
Who knows? All I know is everyone has their own list, including me:
Anderson “The Spider” Silva*
Anderson Silva was the face of the UFC during the late 2000s as a result of his reign over the middleweight division. When it comes to accolades, The Spider’s resume speaks for itself. During his run as champion, Silva achieved UFC records that have yet to be eclipsed today. He recorded the most consecutive wins in UFC history with 16 and registered the longest title reign spanning 2,457 days.
Although the UFC contains more high-level fighters than ever, Silva’s era was not a cakewalk. He came out on top against UFC legends such as Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson. Competition aside, he was able to put his opponents away in varied fashions. During his 16-fight win streak, he claimed multiple victories via knockout, submission and decision respectively.
So why is he only fifth on this list? Anderson Silva’s legacy is complicated. As the UFC began working with USADA to hamper down on PED usage, Silva’s own habits were thrown into the spotlight. In 2015 prior to his UFC 183 bout against Nick Diaz, he tested positive for drostanolone and androstane: two anabolic steroids. Silva once again failed an off-fight test in 2017, this time for synthetic testosterone, but this was later traced back to tainted supplements rather than intentional doping. Silva claims that he has never used PEDs but these instances leave fans questioning otherwise.
Along with possible PED use, another blemish on Silva’s career is his performance after his historic title reign. Following losing the middleweight belt to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, Anderson Silva has a record of 1-6 with one no contest. Despite these faults, due to MMA’s ingrained relationship with PEDs and Silva’s undeniable impact on the sport, he still earns a spot in my top five with an asterisk.
Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov
Now let’s address the hot topic: Is Khabib Nurmagomedov the greatest mixed martial artist of all time? No, but like everyone else on this list he has a legitimate claim to that title.
Khabib Nurmagomedov came into the UFC with a style unique to himself. It’s a style defined by unrelenting pressure, merciless grappling and a vicious ground game. That formula became a puzzle that nobody would be able to solve.
Khabib’s most underrated asset as an athlete is his energy. His ability to control a fighter on the ground for such extended periods of time seems impossibly difficult. This is a strategy only Khabib can employ and that is what makes him special. Statistics back up this statement. Per MMA By The Numbers, only three UFC fighters have landed 60 or more takedowns, scored 90 or more minutes of control time and landed 300 or more significant ground strikes. Those fighters are: Georges St-Pierre, Frankie Edgar and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Eagle steps away from MMA at an undefeated 29-0 with wins over tough opponents such as Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. Although I may not think he’s the best to ever do it, he has the cleanest career of any UFC fighter. He deserves this placement on the list because he is the greatest lightweight in UFC history.
Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko is the best MMA fighter to never compete in a UFC bout. Fedor started his MMA career with a 33-1 record, with that single loss being a forced stoppage due to a cut he sustained 17 seconds into a fight against Tsuyoshi Kosaka. He reigned as Pride heavyweight champion from 2003 to 2007 until the company was disbanded. After his “loss” to Kosaka in 2000, Fedor did not lose another fight until Fabricio Werdum submitted him via triangle armbar in 2010.
During his prime, Fedor’s dominated in all facets of the fight game. He submitted one of best wrestlers at the time in Kevin Randleman. He stood with and defeated one of the most prolific strikers in fighting in Mirko Cro Cop. To begin his title run he repeatedly beat the once proclaimed greatest fighter in the world in Antonio Nogueira. The man was simply a cut above the rest.
Fedor’s rule is made more impressive by the fact he accomplished what he did in the heavyweight division. No matter the time period, the heavyweight division is unforgiving. Stipe Miocic was lauded for defending his title a UFC record three times and rightfully so. Emelianenko is the only other fighter to reach this feat in a major MMA circuit. The Last Emperor also competed in many non-title fights during his stretch as champion but those were admittedly lackluster opponents used to market future superfights.
Similar to Anderson Silva, at the age of 44, Fedor fights to this day in Bellator. Since losing to Werdum, he is not as effective as he was but posts a respectable 8-4 record. His future will decide whether or not he remains as the third entry on this list.
Jon “Bones” Jones*
In light of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, Jon Jones is the top pound-for-pound fighter active in the UFC by a sizable margin. He also happens to be the second greatest mixed martial artist of all time. Jones had no problems turning his talent into results early in his career, securing his first light-heavyweight belt at 24 years old. Since then, Jones himself is the only person capable of halting his success. This refers to his personal troubles but also that his lone loss came by throwing an illegal elbow.
Jones is dynamic to the point that there are almost no weaknesses. Jones’ 84.5-inch reach has given him an advantage over his light-heavyweight opponents. Although that physical advantage helps, Jones is also creative with his striking, particularly his kicks and elbows. Fans often do not get to see the extent of his grappling and wrestling prowess because of his skill as a striker. Through these tools, Jones gained the edge over UFC greats such as Rashad Evans and Daniel Cormier.
Controversy follows Jones and there is no avoiding the implications. In this discussion, the several positive steroid tests prove relevant. Before his UFC 214 bout against Daniel Cormier, Jones tested positive for anabolic steroids and received a four-year suspension, later shortened to 15 months after cooperation with USADA. Jones tested positive twice since but those were described as “the traces of the long-term metabolite” by UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky.
The vacated light-heavyweight champ is not shy about where he thinks he stands in the all-time ranks, as shown by the video he posted following UFC 254. I find it hard-pressed to disagree with him when it comes to comparisons between him and Khabib. However, he’s not quite my GOAT.
Georges “Rush” St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre’s resume is not perfect but it’s close. It may not feature a zero in the loss column like Khabib Nurmagomedov but it is a more complete body of work. GSP sustained two losses in his career: one against Matt Hughes and the other against Matt Serra. Both were avenged in a convincing manner. The standout criticism of GSP’s career is a questionable decision victory against Johnny Hendricks. That’s it.
St-Pierre’s evolution as a fighter and martial artist is what sets him apart from the pack. In each UFC fight he participated in, the strides he made between those events were noticeable. He went from getting submitted by Matt Hughes at UFC 50 to knocking him out at UFC 65 then submitting Hughes himself at UFC 79. Matt Serra achieved a monumental upset win over St-Pierre at UFC 67. GSP took the welterweight belt back and proceeded to hold the title for five years. Through preparation, GSP never flinched in the face of adversity.
Going off purely accolades, GSP is no slouch either. He registered multiple victories over two UFC hall of famers in Matt Hughes and B.J. Penn. St-Pierre went on the third longest title reign in UFC history at 2,064 days. He is tied with Diego Sanchez for the most decision wins in UFC history at 12. GSP recorded the most control time in UFC history at just over two hours and forty-two minutes. He has the most successful takedowns in UFC history with 90.
His middleweight title bout against Michael Bisping at UFC 217 is what pushed him to GOAT status for me. To win a belt in your second weight class against a future hall of famer after a four year layoff is a feat that marks the greatest.
