“Larger Than Life”: 3 Years After Their Fight Ex-Opponent Explains Energy He Experienced Fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov

Despite retiring back in 2020, the former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov still holds a valuable place in several MMA discussions due to his dominance inside the octagon. The Dagestani bowed out of UFC with an undefeated record of 29-0 by dominating some of the biggest names in the lightweight division. One of the established lightweight fighters who lost against ‘The Eagle’ three years ago in 2020 recently revealed that he still remembers how he felt while fighting Nurmagomedov. While discussing his experience of facing the Dagestani during the press conference of UFC 293, the fighter couldn’t help but label him as the GOAT.

The fighter who was showering praise on ‘The Eagle‘ was none other than the new BMF champion, Justin Gaethje. ‘The Highlight’ was a part of the UFC 293 press conference in Sydney where he was asked about his experience of fighting the undefeated Dagestani.

Justin Gaethje called Khabib Nurmagomedov the GOAT

Gaethje and Nurmagomedov locked horns back at UFC 254 on October 24, 2020, where ‘The Eagle’ won in the 2nd round via submission. The fight was brought up during the UFC 293 press conference when Gaethje was asked about the Dagestani’s wrestling. Gaethje said:

“Yeah, I mean he is incredibly strong. He’s the GOAT, he’s so dominant and the night that I fought him he was even better, you know. With what he was fighting for, it was larger than life and that’s something I could feel when I was in there. And it was going to take something that I was not capable of producing that night to beat him.”

🚨Justin Gaethje Calls Khabib Nurmagomedov “THE GOAT” At The UFC Q&A Sessions With Fans.
“I mean he is the G.O.A.T.” pic.twitter.com/5tOPLRy4HH

— It’s Time (@ufc_here) September 8, 2023

The Dagestani fought the American fighter in what would be his last appearance inside the octagon. Despite the result, it wasn’t a straightforward victory for Nurmagomedov as Gaethje became only the second fighter ever to win a round against ‘The Eagle’.

The only chink in the armor of Nurmagomedov

Not many fighters have graced the octagon who can claim that they never lost a round in their career. However, Nurmagomedov came as close to that record as anyone can be. During his 29-0 career, The Dagestani only ever lost 2 rounds against Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje.

During their infamous fight back in 2018, the former UFC double division champion Conor McGregor became the first fighter ever to steal a round against Nurmagomedov. Despite being dominant for the majority of the fight, Nurmagomedov lost the third round. However, the Dagestani ended up winning the war by choking out McGregor in the 4th round.

Similarly, the former interim UFC lightweight champion Gaethje stole the first round during their fight back in 2020. ‘The Highlight’ showed how potent he was with his leg kicks and relentless aggression. However, he couldn’t get past Nurmagomedov to the 3rd round losing via submission.

While losing two rounds may not concern most fighters, for someone with the ruthless mentality of Nurmagomedov, it will feel like a painful thorn in the foot. This mentality of his was acknowledged by his last opponent Gaethje when he crowned ‘The Eagle’ as the GOAT.