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Ilia Topuria makes controversial admission about Khabib Nurmagomedov
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- Ilia Topuria makes controversial admission about Khabib Nurmagomedov
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria is not putting Khabib Nurmagomedov in the GOAT conversation.
The Spanish star now holds the same UFC title that 'The Eagle' once defended three times before walking away from the sport in 2020.
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Topuria took out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last June, stepping into a role previously held by Oliveira and Islam Makhachev as Khabib's successors at 155 pounds.
But 'El Matador' does not seem to hold the Dagestani legend's run at lightweight in high regard.
Ilia Topuria says Khabib Nurmagomedov was not 'fun to watch'
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
During a recent appearance on Adin Ross' Kick stream, Topuria shared his thoughts on Khabib and gave an honest assessment of the former lightweight champion.
He admitted that he never enjoyed watching the Dagestani's fights inside the Octagon.
Topuria believes that fans only tuned in to Khabib's bouts because there was always a chance he might lose his unbeaten record.
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"(Nurmagomedov) wasn't fun to watch until his last two fights," the Spaniard said.
"What made him fun to watch was that he was undefeated and the fact that there was going to be somebody who was going to beat him.
"But the reality was, I never was fan of his fight style."
'El Matador' also made it clear that he does not consider Khabib one of the top five fighters in history.
Ilia Topuria has a path to UFC GOAT status that Khabib Nurmagomedov never chased
Topuria does not see 'The Eagle' as being on the same level as Jon Jones or Georges St-Pierre in terms of legacy, but the Spaniard might have a shot at joining that debate himself.
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Khabib made his mark solely at lightweight, widely regarded as the best the division has ever seen until Makhachev's dominant run brought new comparisons.
Topuria, on the other hand, has openly said he is more interested in personal achievements than holding onto one belt for a long time. He moved up to lightweight after just one defence at featherweight and is already eyeing another move.
'El Matador' is aiming to do something no one else has managed in the UFC: win titles in three different weight classes, and he is looking to challenge Makhachev at 170 pounds to make that a reality.
If the 29-year-old pulls it off and becomes the first triple champion in UFC history, there will be no argument against him being part of the GOAT conversation.
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