The rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier is arguably the most storied in MMA history. And now Khabib Nurmagomedov has weighed in on where he stands on the years-long feud.
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Unsurprisingly, the former lightweight champion is firmly on the side of his longtime AKA training partner.
“I never had any disagreements with Jones. As a fighter, he is great, and it will be hard to match him. But my friend Cormier is in conflict with him, so Jones can’t be my friend. I don’t befriend those who aren’t friends with my friends,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said via Instagram.
The comments come after years of discussion amongst fans and fighters alike about the MMA GOAT hierarchy. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s brief dominance and undefeated record have been frequently compared to Jones’ extended two division title run.
Intertwined History between Khabib/DC/Jones
Days after Nurmagomedov’s surprise retirement at UFC 254, Jones restated his case for all-time supremacy. “I’m talking to all you Khabib fans out there. 15 world titles to your guy’s four,” Jones said. “And you guys are really talking about who’s the best fighter ever? You guys are joking, right?”
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“He would have to come back and win two championship fights to tie me, and I’m not even retired yet. I’m 33 years old. I’ve got a whole ‘nother chapter to go through,” Jones continued.
Since then, Jones’ stance has softened on “The Eagle.” In 2023, Jones placed Khabib Nurmagomedov as the fourth best fighter in history behind himself, Anderson Silva, and Georges St. Pierre.
“I love what Khabib represents,” Jones said. “We’ve had our differences in the past, I’ve made some quotes about him but there has never been a real beef.” The former light heavyweight king then referred to Nurmagomedov as “an admirable man.”
The seeds to the Jones and “DC” beef were planted when the two met backstage at UFC 121 when the latter was cornering Cain Velasquez, another AKA legend. The pair shared the Octagon twice as light heavyweights, with Jones besting his rival both times. However, the multiple PED test failures, including one that invalidated Jones’ KO victory at UFC 214, have called the results into question.
A proposed trilogy bout for Cormier’s heavyweight crown fizzled. Jones went on to win that title after Cormier’s retirement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cormier have shared one of the more prominent friendships in the sport. Jones will defend the heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, another DC rival, at UFC 309.
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