BJ Penn, although he may be retired, knows a thing or two about fighting. He recently took to social media to weigh in on the MMA GOAT discussion, taking particular umbrage with the former undefeated lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov’s place in the conversation.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Penn criticized Khabib’s decision to retire at the peak of his powers, stringing together a meager three title defenses.
BJ Penn Casts Doubt on Khabib GOAT Claims
“I enjoy watching Kabib [sic] fight, I can not see Khabib saying he is #1 of lightweight of all time because that does not seem like his style.
I will give my opinion on what I thought of Kabibs career.
Me kabib and Benson all had 3 title defenses. Me and Kabib had 3 finishes in the 3 title defenses.
I did finish Joe Stevenson to win the Ufc lightweight belt and Kabib won unanimous decision over Iaquinta to win the lightweight belt. That’s 4 finishes me and 3 finishes him in title fights. these are just numbers not important to fighting.
I do feel that it is the champions duty to the sport and fellow fighters to make sure the next world champion is the greatest world champion to step in the ring. I do believe Kabib walked away too early in that respect.
There are fighters and sportsmen… All I ever wanted to do was fight, everyone.”
Khabib has not been immune to criticism for retiring early, and sticking to a single weight division. However, it’s hard to argue with Nurmagomedov’s perfect 29-0 record, which includes thirteen consecutive wins in the UFC alone.
“I was 25 and in my fighting prime when I went up to 170 pounds and won the belt from Matt Hughes. I can not blame Khabib for not going up and fighting Usman for the belt and then sparking a greater conversation of who was the best of the two fighters who won the 170 and 155 belts?
The fighters today get fame and don’t want to lose. I will fight anytime until the day I die… I went to Japan and Hawaii and fought in K-1 and Rumble on the rock at 170, 185, and heavyweight.
After years of fighting top fighters and champions I went back to the UFC and took the lightweight belt and the rest is MMA history. I don’t know who is the GOAT lightweight…I was just here to fight.”
Who do you think was the better fighter? BJ Penn, or Khabib Nurmagomedov? Let us know in the comments.
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