Khabib Nurmagomedov Snubbed in Gaethje's GOAT List as Legacy Debates Rage

Khabib Nurmagomedov's status among the all-time greats is being debated once again, sparked by a notable omission from a former opponent. Reigning UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje recently left the undefeated Dagestani legend off his personal MMA Mount Rushmore, a list that included Royce Gracie, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Chuck Liddell.

Gaethje's GOAT List Snub Fuels Endless Debate

During an appearance on the One Night with Stiney podcast, Gaethje was asked to name his four greatest fighters. He expanded it to five, but when the host specifically asked about Nurmagomedov, Gaethje dismissed the idea. "No. Not mine," Gaethje said before adding Chuck Liddell to complete his list. This public snub from a man he submitted in October 2020 ensures the conversation about Khabib's place in history remains fiercely contested. Fans and pundits will endlessly compare the dominance of his 29-0 record against the longer championship reigns and title defenses of other legends.

Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan recently named the fantasy matchup he'd most like to see. He picked Khabib Nurmagomedov returning for a superfight against another retired great, Georges St-Pierre. Tsarukyan's choice taps into a long-running fan discussion about a clash between two generational talents defined by elite wrestling and tactical control. A bout between the Dagestani sambo master and the Canadian MMA pioneer represents one of the sport's biggest 'what if' scenarios, a dream that persists years after both men hung up their gloves.

Khabib's influence extends far beyond historical rankings. His cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, is a major free-agent story after defending his PFL lightweight title in New York back in July 2024. The 28-year-old's future is a popular topic, and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes Khabib would agree with his take on the situation. On the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Kamaru Usman argued that Usman Nurmagomedov should be kept out of current UFC lightweight conversations until a deal is officially done. "First of all, Mr Henry, why do we keep bringing up Usman? This is not a done deal," Usman said to Henry Cejudo, insisting Khabib would "100 per cent" side with him. This shows how Khabib's opinion still carries significant weight in discussions about fighters from his camp.

Key Takeaways

• Justin Gaethje did not include Khabib Nurmagomedov in his five-fighter MMA Mount Rushmore, naming Royce Gracie, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Chuck Liddell instead.
• Arman Tsarukyan selected a Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre matchup as his dream fight between retired UFC legends.
• Kamaru Usman claims Khabib would agree that his cousin, free-agent champion Usman Nurmagomedov, should not be discussed in UFC lightweight rankings until a contract is signed.