Khabib
Nurmagomedov’s request has been granted.
As he announced his retirement in the Octagon following a
second-round submission of Justin
Gaethje in the UFC 254 headliner this past Saturday,
Nurmagomedov asked that he be granted the No. 1 spot in the
promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings. At the time, he was second
behind Jon
Jones.
“I know only one thing I want from UFC, you guys have to be me on
No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, because I deserve
this,” Nurmagomedov said after vanquishing Gaethje. “UFC
undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion, 13-0 in UFC, [29-0] in
all pro MMA career. I think I deserve it.”
Someone was listening, because as of Tuesday, “The Eagle” has
surpassed Jones in the UFC’s latest pound-for-pound poll. The
update didn’t escape Nurmagomedov, who reflected on the news in an
Instagram post.
“It was work of my life, I never got anything easy, and nothing was
given to me because I’m nice guy,” he wrote. “Hard work, hope for
Allah and patience, this three ingredient helps me to get
successful, and of course, control and advises from my Father, who
invested in me a lot of time and work.”
Because the Dagestani announced his retirement, it’s unknown how
long he’ll get to occupy the top spot before he is removed.
Nurmagmedov was already No. 1 in Sherdog.com’s
pound-for-pound rankings.
Jones, while he briefly conceded the pound-for-pound spot to
Nurmagomedov,
issued a video rebuttal to anyone considering the lightweight
champion over him as the sport’s “Greatest of All Time.”
“Fifteen world championships to four,” Jones said. “And all you
guys that are going with this, ‘He’s more dominant,’ argument? The
guy just recently started fighting elite-level competition. Could
you imagine me against the No. 10 ranked guy?”
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Oct 27, 2020 at 6:25am
PDT