Jon Jones vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov. Who is MMA’s GOAT?
The debate over who is the greatest of all time or GOAT in MMA has been ongoing for years. I could rattle off a list of “Mt. Rushmore” candidates for days (e.g., George St. Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Demetrious Johnson to name a few), but when it comes to true GOAT status, there are only two names that need be discussed at this time, Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov. While both fighters are undoubtedly talented, each with nearly flawless records, Jon Jones’ recent dominating win over Ciryl Gane to secure the UFC Heavyweight Championship has finally seen him rise above the perfect record of the legendary Dagestani fighter.
First and foremost, Jones has been a dominant force in the sport for over a decade. He has fought and defeated some of the best fighters in the world, including Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. He has defended his title more times than any other UFC champion in history (13 as of this writing), and he has done so against a variety of opponents with different fighting styles. While his record does show one loss, to Matt Hamill, nearly 15 years ago, that particular loss was due to illegal elbow strikes, and has never been taken seriously be any self-respecting MMA reporter or fan.
Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, has had an impressive run but a relatively short career in comparison. While he has an undefeated record, he has only had 29 professional fights, with only three of those fights being title defenses. One could also make the argument that while Jon Jones should have a wins/loss record as clean has Nurmagomedov’s, he hasn’t exactly had a clean record. While it’s true that any young athlete is suceptible to the pitfalls that fame and money can so quickly bring, Jon has also faced his share of criticism when it comes to the topic of PEDs or steroids as they’re more popularly known. In 2005, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) officially suspended Jon Jones for one year after he tested positive for two banned substances prior to his UFC 200 fight with Daniel Cormier. In Jones’ defense, he maintained he never knowlingly took any substances and later felt exonerated after USADA’s rule changes on certain picogram levels.
All that said, Jones’ versatility is another factor that sets him apart from Nurmagomedov. Jones has shown that he can adapt to any opponent’s style and use a variety of techniques to win fights. He is equally proficient in striking, grappling, and wrestling, making him a well-rounded fighter who can excel in any aspect of the game.
Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, is primarily a grappler. While he has excellent striking skills, he is known for his dominant wrestling and grappling abilities. As a result, certain fans see him as more of a one-dimensional fighter who relies heavily on his grappling skills to win fights, and who hasn’t faced the level of competition seen by the likes of Jones over his storied 15 year career.
Jones’ long-standing dominance in the sport and his versatility make him a more well-rounded fighter than Nurmagomedov. While Nurmagomedov’s record is impressive, his shorter career and quality of opponents make it difficult to compare him to Jones, who has proven himself time and time again, and against current or soon-to-be UFC Hall of Fame level opponents.
Finally, Jones’ impact on the sport is another factor that makes him the MMA GOAT. He has inspired a generation of fighters and has helped to grow the sport to what it is today. He has also faced numerous challenges outside the octagon, including suspensions and legal issues, but has always managed to come back stronger and more determined than ever. While Nurmagomedov’s impact cannot be overstated, particularly in popularity in the Middle East, Jones has always seems to possess a global appeal that is more akin to LeBron James or Michael for both his popularity and dominance in his respective sport.
In conclusion, while both Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov are talented fighters, Jones’ long-standing dominance, versatility, and impact on the sport make him the MMA GOAT. He has proven himself time and time again against a variety of opponents, having won world titles in two different divisions, and his legacy in the sport will undoubtedly stand the test of time
