Anthony Smith, a welterweight, compared the organization's current and former lightweight champions Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
"Islam is a more versatile fighter than Khabib. I think Islam has better striking technique, and he's probably better at going for parterre holds. He's definitely better at leg kicks. So he has more skills. But Khabib was incredibly good at what he did. He was good at imposing his will on any opponent. I would say that Islam is more 'skilful', but Khabib was still better because of the fact that he had a strong side where there was just nowhere to be better."
The other day it became known that Khabib Nurmagomedov, former UFC lightweight champion, attended the Champions League semifinal match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Khabib, who has long been known as a fan of the Spanish grand, called the bout historic. Later in the comments under Nurmagomedov's post was his friend, former UFC champion in two weight categories Daniel Cormier. He sided with the German team, saying Bayern were better than Real Madrid.
"Give us credit when we deserve it. We were better yesterday. We are better," Cormier wrote on social networks.
Recall, after the end of the fighting career Daniel Cormier works as a commentator and analyst for the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, former UFC lightweight champion, attended yesterday's Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid fight in Munich for the first semifinal match of the 2023/2024 Champions League. The meeting ended in a 2-2 draw.
"What a historic match yesterday!", - commented the fighter.
Khabib is known for his love of soccer, as well as the fact that he is a fan of Real Madrid. Earlier, he repeatedly posted joint photos with the former leader of the attacks of "creamy" Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him the best footballer on the planet.
Recall that Khabib Nurmagomedov ended his fighting career in October 2020 with a record of 29-0. In his farewell fight, he won a choke hold against Justin Gaethje.
Arman Tsarukyan, the number one UFC lightweight ranking, named his favorite fighter as a child. According to Arman, he admired not Fedor Emelianenko, but Khabib Nurmagomedov.
"No. Khabib. When I was growing up, Khabib was in his peak form. Do we communicate with him? No, we know each other, but I don't know him too well. I can't call him and tell him anything. We're not friends. But I really like his behavior, his lifestyle," Tsarukyan said in an interview with Michael Bisping.
Earlier, Tsarukyan announced his rating of the best MMA fighters in history, putting Jon Jones in first place. Khabib in this rating was only in fifth place.
UFC lightweight division number oneArman Tsarukyan explained why Islam Makhachev, the promotion's champion at that weight, will not surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov.
"Not yet. Because Islam has never defended the title against a lightweight. Volkanovski is good, but he's too short and small, from a different division. Lightweights are completely different fighters. Let's see how Makhachev will look against the real lightweight Porier. If you compare, Khabib is ranked above Makhachev. But Islam keeps fighting and can break all records. But I won't let him do it (smiles). That's what I'm here for," Tsarukyan said in an interview with Michael Bisping.
Recall, Tsarukyan and Makhachev met in the octagon, and then Islam won by unanimous decision of judges.