Khabib Nurmagomedov's Legacy Debated as Gaethje Omits Him

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s standing among the all-time greats is being debated again, sparked by the man who felt his power most directly. Current UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, whom Nurmagomedov submitted at UFC 254 in October 2020, still calls the undefeated Russian his toughest foe. Yet when asked to name his MMA Mount Rushmore, Gaethje’s list of five did not include the 29-0 legend.

Gaethje's Surprising GOAT List Omission

Justin Gaethje expanded the traditional four-spot Mount Rushmore to five names, a list he shared on the One Night with Steiny podcast. His picks were Royce Gracie, Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Chuck Liddell. When specifically asked about Nurmagomedov’s place, Gaethje’s answer was blunt: “No, not mine.” This exclusion comes despite Gaethje’s consistent praise for the difficulty of their fight. He is currently enjoying a career resurgence, unifying the lightweight title by stopping Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026 and now plans to sit out for the remainder of the year.

Revisiting the Grueling UFC 254 Defeat

Gaethje recently offered a detailed and visceral reflection on what went wrong in Abu Dhabi. He won the first round on two judges’ scorecards but says the effort required to survive Nurmagomedov’s relentless pressure left him completely spent. “The first round took everything,” Gaethje admitted, questioning whether he could ever have won a rematch. He blamed a disrupted routine during the COVID-19 bubble, citing unfamiliar food, a lack of his beloved milk, different water, and being confined to a hotel with minimal sunlight for nearly two weeks. “If you were a creature of habit, you were f*,” Gaethje said, describing the dietary shift to goat and lamb as a significant factor.

The Enduring Fantasy of Khabib vs. GSP

While Gaethje debates the past, another top lightweight is dreaming of a fight that never happened. Arman Tsarukyan, who is likely next in line for a title shot, has analyzed a fantasy bout between Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre. This dream match between two of the sport's most dominant wrestlers has been a topic of fan speculation for years. Tsarukyan’s analysis, coming as he prepares for his own high-stakes test, keeps the hypothetical legacy of a prime Nurmagomedov alive in current conversations.

Nurmagomedov Family News: Abubakar Returns

Khabib’s fighting legacy continues through his team and family. His first cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, is scheduled for his first MMA fight in three years since his UFC release in early 2024. The 36-year-old will compete at PFL Dubai on November 14, 2026, facing David Martinez. His return marks another chapter for the Nurmagomedov camp, which has grown into a powerhouse in the sport.

• Key Takeaways: Justin Gaethje does not include Khabib Nurmagomedov on his five-person MMA Mount Rushmore. Gaethje says the first round of his UFC 254 loss to Khabib drained him completely. Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib's cousin, returns to MMA at PFL Dubai on November 14. The fantasy fight between Khabib and Georges St-Pierre remains a topic for current fighters like Arman Tsarukyan.