Khabib Nurmagomedov Snubbed by Dana White in 'Class of Their Own' List

Khabib Nurmagomedov was notably absent from UFC CEO Dana White's recent list of fighters he considers in a 'class of their own'. White, speaking on October 5, named Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Chuck Liddell as his incomparable figures, leaving out the undefeated Russian champion. This omission has reignited discussions about Nurmagomedov's standing among the sport's all-time greats, even as he remains deeply involved in the sport from the sidelines.

Dana White's surprising omission

White's comments came during an interview for 'The Diary Of A CEO' podcast. He specifically highlighted Rousey for changing his mind about women's MMA. The UFC CEO did not mention Jon Jones, another fighter he has previously called the greatest of all time, but the exclusion of Nurmagomedov was particularly striking. The former lightweight king retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record and three successful title defenses, a legacy many fans and pundits view as untouchable.

Terence Crawford claims a superior undefeated record

Boxing superstar Terence Crawford recently argued that his own unbeaten career surpasses Nurmagomedov's. 'Mine is, for sure. Definitely,' Crawford said. 'I fought everybody there is to fight. And moving up two divisions to fight Canelo. It's night and day.' Crawford, a former three-division undisputed champion, pointed to his victories over elite names like Canelo Alvarez and Errol Spence Jr. as evidence. This cross-sport comparison highlights the enduring benchmark Nurmagomedov's flawless MMA run has set.

Kamaru Usman on Khabib's coaching influence

Retired welterweight great Kamaru Usman believes Nurmagomedov would agree with his assessment of the current MMA landscape. On the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman argued that his namesake, Usman Nurmagomedov, should not yet be included in UFC lightweight title conversations. 'First of all, Mr Henry, why do we keep bringing up Usman?' Usman asked co-host Henry Cejudo. 'This is not a done deal that Usman is going to be here.' The younger Nurmagomedov, Khabib's cousin, became a free agent after defending his PFL lightweight title in July 2026. Kamaru Usman's point shows Khabib's ongoing role as a mentor and the careful management of his protégés' careers.

The relentless standard of 'The Eagle'

Insights into Khabib Nurmagomedov's legendary work ethic continue to surface through his team. His cousin, Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov, recently detailed the intense standards Khabib set during fight camps. The retired champion demanded 100 percent effort in every training session, a philosophy he now instills in the fighters he coaches. This relentless approach forged the dominance fans witnessed inside the Octagon and is now a cornerstone of the Abdulmanap school of fighters, including current UFC pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS: Dana White did not include Khabib Nurmagomedov in his shortlist of UFC fighters in a 'class of their own'. Khabib's cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, is a free agent and a potential UFC signing, with Kamaru Usman cautioning against premature hype.

The debate over Khabib Nurmagomedov's place in history clearly isn't settled. From boardroom snubs to cross-sport comparisons, his legacy remains a powerful reference point. And through his disciples like Makhachev, his influence on the sport's present and future is as concrete as his unbeaten past.