Colby Covington wonders if Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy as undefeated UFC lightweight champ really stands up to scrutiny. After seeing his longtime rival Dustin Poirier succumb to a rear naked choke at UFC 269, “Chaos” pointed out on Submission Radio that it might “de-legitimize” Khabib’s towering legacy.
“It definitely kinda delegitimizes [Khabib’s] legacy. He never really fought a high, high level wrestler that could challenge him, that was good, in both areas of striking and wrestling, and submissions and defensive wrestling.
Covington Questions Legitimacy of Khabib’s Legacy
So, you know, there’s always been doubts about Khabib’s legacy. He had an interesting route and he took some time off in-between his career. He got good matchups, you know, people that didn’t know how to wrestle.
Even a lot of people thought that he lost to a guy I used to train with all the time, Tibau, Gleison Tibau. He won a split decision over him but a lot of people thought he lost that fight.”
The big question mark, Covington claims, is how Khabib would have fared against the champ who succeeded him, Charles Oliveira. Khabib vacated the lightweight championship after a title defense against Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira stepped up to rule the power vacuum in his absence. Oliveira leads the UFC in submission finishes, begging the question of how a champ-vs-champ fight would go down.
“I definitely think that kinda puts a dampener into Khabib’s legacy. That guy’s [Poirier] going out there and getting submitted just like you did to him; the same exact way. So how would that matchup go with him and the Brazilian?”
Khabib remains dedicated to his retirement, focusing on training the next generation of fighters and running his own fight promotion, Eagle FC. Khabib’s legions of dedicated fans from across the Arab world will likely be disappointed if they expect “The Eagle” to return to competition. However, the Khabib-vs-Oliveira question may find an answer in another fighter.
Islam Makhachev, who trains under Khabib Nurmegomedov, has long been touted as the heir to Nurmagomedov’s legacy. Makachev’s overwhelming wrestling-based fighting style recalls Khabib at his peak, and Makhachev – and his mentor, Khabib – made no secret of their ultimate goal of UFC gold.
Islam Makhachev may end up fighting Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title, answering Colby Covington’s question, at least after a fashion.
Who do you think would win in a lightweight superfight between Khabib and Charles Oliveira? Let us know in the comments.
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