Nurmagomedov on way to ‘GOAT’ status

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) –  Khabib Nurmagomedov will be close to becoming the greatest MMA fighter of all time if he wins at UFC 254, says UFC president Dana White.

The undefeated lightweight champion faces American interim champion Justin Gaethje in a unification bout on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island on Saturday.

Russian Nurmagomedov, 32, has a 28-0 record, while Gaethje, 31, is 22-2.

“Khabib’s a big superstar. But if he beats Justin, he’s on his way to GOAT status,” said White.

“He’s looking down the barrel of not only being the greatest to ever do it in this division but being the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

Nurmagomedov has hinted at retiring if he reaches a 30-0 record and, asked at the pre-fight press conference about achieving the same status as boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, he said: “I don’t know if I can ever become close to these people.

“I didn’t have this goal; I just want to win every fight. We’ll see in the future because I’m not finished yet. When I retire, I want to retire [as the] undisputed, undefeated UFC lightweight champion.”