via Getty
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – NOVEMBER 08: Khabib Nurmagomedov interacts with fans during a Q&A session prior to the UFC Fight Night weigh-ins at CSKA Arena on November 08, 2019 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
via Getty
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – NOVEMBER 08: Khabib Nurmagomedov interacts with fans during a Q&A session prior to the UFC Fight Night weigh-ins at CSKA Arena on November 08, 2019 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
MMA is relatively a young sport. However, there have been some exceptional fighters that have shown skills and execution of certain methods in such a manner that makes them elite among the elites. Jon Jones, with a versatile arsenal, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, with an impeccable game plan, are prime examples of puzzles nobody could solve. Thus, it makes for an argument–who is better?
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Recently, MMA reporter Helen Yee asked her followers about their MMA GOATs. Moreover, to no one’s surprise, two names, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones, were on most people’s lists.
Who’s your MMA GOAT 🐐?
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) May 23, 2022
A debate started in the comments section about whose resume is better and who has done better work. However, there were no definitive answers.
Jon Jones… and Khabib if only he didn’t retire but went on to smash a few more guys, which he 100% would have, like Oliveira, Darius, Chandler, Ferguson, and McGregor for a second time. Khabib would have smashed them all, never lost a round. Everyone else is wrong.
— griZz (@Davidk1n9) May 24, 2022
Khabib.
All other answers are wrong— Dan_again (@DanielSerritos1) May 23, 2022
Hard to say nowadays… nowadays it's just about favorites…GOAT I'd say Jon Jones cuz he's still undefeated if u ask me.. nobody beat that man yet..I don't care for all that other stuff…we talking about inside that ring
— Tha Analyst 🇬🇧🇳🇮👑🖊️🎙️🐐🗡️🪖🔪 (@waking_phoenix) May 23, 2022
Jon Jones is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. It shouldn’t be debated anymore. You don’t have to like the guy to understand this. Talk with anyone/ listen to anyone. He is the greatest. I don’t like it either but he da best ever!
— benthebadguy (@Daddyohsobaddy) May 24, 2022
Been saying it for years: Khabib
GSP is #2, I think Khabib beats him. Anderson was great, but if he was a MW, Khabib wins IMO. Jon Jones has failed more drug tests than any athlete in professional sports. lol
Khabib: Never rocked/dropped, never lost a round, and retired P4P #1.
— Gage Ryan (@GageRyanVideo) May 24, 2022
Gsp- bc he was anti roids in the era of roid abusers.
Khabib- was after the era of roids and his last known EPO opponent was. Tibeau who probably won.
Silva and Jones both juiced.
And this is the combined records of their opponents. pic.twitter.com/6bsR6pJAm8— Blair Denny ☭ (@BNewF) May 24, 2022
Khabib. Not only did he never lose but he never even came remotely close to losing, was basically never even hurt and never lost any professional fight. No fighter that has failed a drug test for PEDs should be considered sorry. Calls their whole career into question
— StevYO (@StevYO6) May 24, 2022
It’s Jon. Jon still hasn’t lost. Best resume in the sport.
— Lars (@MMAyapper) May 23, 2022
Definitely not “ I retired with 0” @TeamKhabib . He needed to do so much more to even call him self the greatest
— That Boy Itachi (@Anthony56925219) May 23, 2022
Jon Jones without question. Man cleaned his division twice and has never lost. He's also the youngest UFC champion. People forget this man would dominate dudes with their own fighting style just to prove he's better at it than they are; all while partying like a maniac
— Vekslor (@Vekslor) May 24, 2022
However, the GOAT list has always been a controversial conversation; Since MMA has too many tools to offer, the discussion is rather opinionative.
While discussing Jon Jones as the best fighter ever, fans put forward his insane resume. The youngest UFC champion, Jones, ran through the most prolific division, light heavyweight, in the UFC at the time. ‘Bones’ beat former UFC champions one after the other. Besides, his wins were too easy at times. He appeared to fight at a different frequency than his peers.
Read More – Who is The Best UFC Fighter of All Time?
Whereas, ‘The Eagle‘ has an unblemished record that ignites a whole another conversation. He never got dropped or bloodied in his entire career. Also, he didn’t lose many sequences inside the Octagon.
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Not Jon Jones or Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges St-Pierre is the GOAT
Despite Jones and Nurmagomedov having astonishing numbers and facts to back them as the GOAT, there’s a consensus GOAT, and that’s Georges St-Pierre. Moreover, the Canadian fighter, 26-2, lost only two fights inside the Octagon and avenged both of his losses by getting brutal wins in the rematch.
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Georges St-Pierre of Canada prepares to enter the Octagon prior to facing Michael Bisping of England in their UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 217 event inside Madison Square Garden on November 4, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Nevertheless, with a prolonged championship reign and a versatile skill-set, ‘Rush’ has the accolades of Jon Jones, and barring the two losses, his dominance was like that of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Besides, he has an edge over Jones in terms of never getting his name in any controversy, and with 13 UFC title wins and a dual champion status, he perhaps stands ahead of ‘The Eagle.’
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WATCH THIS STORY – Conor McGregor’s Super Human Transformation After the Horrific Injury at UFC 264
What do you make this GOAT discussion? Let us know your GOAT list in the comments section.
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