Khabib Nurmagomedov Praises Max Holloway: He Could Become Best Fighter Of All Time

UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has major praise for Max Holloway.

Nurmagomedov witnessed Holloway’s one-sided battering of Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Island 7. Holloway’s unanimous decision victory over Kattar is already considered by many to be one of the greatest main event performances in MMA history.

At points in the fight, “Blessed” took his eyes off Kattar and spoke to the UFC commentary team. Without looking, he’d land a straight right hand flush. Speaking to Dan Hardy for Full Reptile, Nurmagomedov said he very much enjoyed Holloway’s performance (h/t BJPenn.com).

“I love this. Fighting, at the same time talk with opponent, talk with some corner, talk with Dana. This is amazing feeling.”

Holloway has said he feels he is the best boxer in MMA. While “The Eagle” isn’t sure whether or not to agree with the proclamation, he certainly is impressed by the standup skills of “Blessed.”

“About best boxer, I don’t know, but he’s one of the best for sure. And his cardio I think. He has very good cardio, very good chin, and now his experience every fight is coming more and more and I think his time is gonna come. This is what I think. This was his best performance but in the future, he has a couple years to show and become maybe best fighter of all time.”

Holloway and Nurmagomedov were actually scheduled to fight back in 2018. Holloway was set to replace an injured Tony Ferguson to face Nurmagomedov for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. That plan went awry when Holloway was ruled medically unfit to compete.