Khabib Nurmagomedov: “Only One Thing Helps, When You Never Lose, This Is When It’s Real Thing”
Khabib Nurmagomedov hasn’t entered the Octagon since the main event of UFC 229, where he choked out Conor McGregor in the fourth round. He was later slapped with a nine-month suspension by NSAC due to his role in the post-fight incident (Khabib leaped over the fence and attacked Conor’s sparring partner Dillon Danis).
The undefeated Dagestani defends his 170-pound strap against an interim Lightweight king Dustin Poirier this Saturday, September 7, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Despite the age of superfights has arrived, it seems Khabib Nurmagomedov remains old-fashioned. The legendary Russian Octagon warrior doesn’t want to go ten pounds down or 15 pounds up because he thinks changing weight divisions won’t boost legacy. He believes defeating every single opponent is more important. (h/t MMAJunkie)
“I think if you want to improve your legacy by changing weight classes, I don’t think this is help for you,” Nurmagomedov said. “Only one thing helps for you. You have to beat up-and-comers. What about when you beat tough opponents and you’re still undefeated more than the others. I think this is going to improve your legacy.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov says the only real way to become great is to remain undefeated. He thinks that consecutive title defenses and zero in the loss column mean more than double champ status.
“If you lose couple times and you win one title, second title, you lose again, and then you win third title, this does not make you great. My opinion, when you’re undefeated long time and you never lose, this is when it’s real thing.”
So what do you think? Which criterion defines legacy more – champ-champ status or a perfect score?
