- Daniel Cormier explains why he believes Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the lightweight GOAT and not Charles Oliveira
- “Do Bronx” previously said he will always be ready for a fight with the “The Eagle”
Former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier gave Charles Oliveira his flowers but he is not convinced that “do Bronx” is already MMA’s lightweight GOAT. For DC, that title still belongs to his former teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov.
There’s nothing exceptional about Charles at this point
Speaking to DC & RC show, Cormier pointed out that while Nurmagomedov may have lacked the longevity as far as being the champ goes, Oliveira has not beaten anybody that could put him on top of “The Eagle” by a mile.
“I love what love what Charles has done and I really do think that it deserves a lot of credit but, this is not me just saying [Khabib’s] my teammate, right? I just think that if there’s anything that hurts Khabib Nurmagomedov’s case [for GOAT status] is that the longevity wasn’t there in terms of the title reign,” Cormier explained.
“But those same guys that Charles beat, [Khabib] he did beat right? So it’s not it’s not that different,” he added. “But yes, Charles is on a very short list of the greatest lightweights of all time and I believe that the more he wins and the more he competes, the better it becomes for him, maybe at some point staking claim to that distinction, [but] right now for me it’s still Khabib Nurmagomedov, I’m sorry.”
Charles remains Ready
Oliveira has defended his UFC lightweight belt once and holds the UFC record for most submission wins and most finishes. On the other hand, Nurmagomedov was undefeated his entire career with three title defenses.
Needless to say, there wouldn’t have been any lightweight GOAT debate between Oliveira and Nurmagomedov if the pair wound up facing each other in the past. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. However, “do Bronx” remains ready if ever the Russian MMA legend decides to make a return.
“Whenever [Khabib] he’s willing to get back and get on with it. I’ll always be ready,” Oliveira said before fighting Islam Makhachev last year.
Oliveira’s recent TKO win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 has made him the favorite to compete for the title. UFC president Dana White already expressed his approval of Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 but it is yet to be confirmed.
