What Does Khabib Nurmagomedov Think About Muhammad Ali Comparisons?

Khabib Nurmagomedov has shared his opinion on comparisons to Muhammad Ali.

Nurmagomedov has been perfect throughout his pro MMA career. His record stands at 28-0 with 10 submissions and eight knockouts or TKO victories.  Many are wondering if “The Eagle” will end his career with a perfect record.

When it comes to the gold standard of boxing history, Ali is considered to be at the top of the list. Many feel Khabib is in that role for MMA and so the comparisons have been made. Speaking to True Gym MMA, Nurmagomedov discussed those comparisons (via The Sports Rush).

“I think comparing Ali and me is probably wrong. Only if we talk about the fact that we are both champions and both Muslims. But all the things he did outside the ring, with this I cannot be compared indeed. At the time when he was a champion, he was…another race, and at that time in America, black people were treated badly, and according to his stories, he was not even served in restaurants. He threw away the gold medal. He changed the attitude towards his race very much. So, we cannot be compared.”

Nurmagomedov is the UFC Lightweight Champion. He’s set to take on interim titleholder Justin Gaethje on October 24. The title unification fight is set to be the main event of UFC 254. It’ll be Nurmagomedov’s third title defense. He hasn’t competed since September 2019.

Gaethje is riding a four-fight winning streak. In that span, he’s beaten Tony Ferguson, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and James Vick. All of those wins ended in a knockout or TKO.