Media Khabib Nurmagomedov says people can't compare Charles Oliveira to him: 'Nobody ever touched my face'

[KazDibiase]

Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t think Charles Oliveira has done enough to surpass him among the lightweight greats.

Although he’s no longer champion due to missing weight before his title fight with Justin Gaethje earlier this month, Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) is coming off three consecutive finishes of Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Gaethje.

Oliveira, the UFC’s all-time leader in overall finishes and submissions, has been on a tear lately, which has inserted him in the conversation of the greatest lightweights of all time. But Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC), who retired undefeated, shut down the comparisons between the two.

“He impressed me like little bit, but every fight he goes down,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN. “This one is a little bit bad for him. Every fight he goes down, couple of times. Last fight, it was like, how many? Two, three times knockdowns? With Michael Chandler, with Dustin Poirier, with Justin Gaethje, he always goes down. This is like a little bit questionable, you know. Nobody ever touched my face, and all the time he go down. People cannot talk about like compare me vs. Charles Oliveira.

“He tapped in UFC eight times (correction: three times). Please, come on. When he tapped to Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Holloway, Felder – it was Charles Oliveira. It was not Khabib. If you want to deserve the name greatest lightweight, he has to beat Islam (Makhachev), Beneil (Dariush), a couple more guys, and then we can talk. He has to be a professional and make weight when he has a championship belt.”

However, Nurmagomedov’s thoughts on his all-time ranking does not mean he can’t acknowledge the current run Oliveira is on and the recent career resurgence.

“But what he’s doing, this is very impressive,” Nurmagomedov added. “How he came back from so many losses, and now he has good ground, he has good striking game. Knees, elbows, kicks, he looks good. That’s why I really want to see him vs. Islam. This is like a big test for both of them.”

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022...rmagomedov-reacts-charles-oliveira-comparison

 

[legkicktko]

If Charles beats Islam he will be considered better.

He basically beat Gaethje in the craziest way possible, he pressured him into boxing range and dropped him on his ass. He’s not the same guy who lost to Felder.

 

[markantony20]

This threads gonna be a war I can already tell.

 

[Kha'bless]

In for some sweet sweet tears.

 

[ArtardFiesta]

lets just hope islam vs charles happens.

I fear this might become the new tony vs khabib. make the fight already. fuck dariush.

 

[Rapa]

All of olivieras loses happend because he was too young and needed more experience dude was 20 years old when ufc signed him

 

[CannotWin]

There is no war. Khabib is already having to defend his status as GOAT because he built it on sand.

He took no damage. Cool. Oliveira is destroying his oposition playing their owm game and he is looking like a savage while doing it. By comparison Khabib is looking more and more like a point fighter.

Khabib knows that if Islam falls it is over.

 

[old school 2]

Olivera may have the UFC ‘s most finishes but is only 1 behind Lawler for MOST LOSSES in the UFC of any belt holder. Even Bisbing had less. That kind of settles any comparisons with Khabib .

 

[LoveMyMMA]

Khabib is right.

 

[Juan Bombadil]

Khabib is shook

 

[burningspear]

vulnerable fighters make the most exciting fights

 

[Poirierfan]

They're not even in the same universe.

 

[dc007]

Khabib should have stuck around and kept defending so he wouldn't have to try and convince people with talk.

 

[ThePimblettEra]

Khabib retired in his prime after a few title defences (and has ran his mouth ever since), while Olives continues to improve and continues to body cunts despite the adversities he's faced.

War Charles.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Michael Johnson didn't touch Khabib's face?

 

[PunchyMcSplodo]

All of olivieras loses happend because he was too young and needed more experience dude was 20 years old when ufc signed him

Half of his losses happened in his late 20's, dude.

 

[humdizzle]

are people being paid by ali abdelaziz to start all these threads ? wtf.

dana if you're listening just get this fight booked already. otherwise this crap is going to continue into 2023

 

[Bend NvR Break]

lets just hope islam vs charles happens.

I fear this might become the new tony vs khabib. make the fight already. fuck dariush.

Nah. The new Tony vs Khabib is Islam vs a top 5 opponent.

 

[Hostile1]

Styles make fights. Khabib had DOMINANT grappling and everyone was afraid to throw strikes for fear of being taken down. This is not a secret. I was never a huge Khabib fan, but would not doubt his dominance. He is the best 155 lb fighter to ever put on gloves.

 

[fortheo]

I like khabib, but it's not a good look for him to be defending himself like this.