UFC legend Jon Jones didn’t think twice about who would emerge victorious from the octagon between Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov if a fight ever happened.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is in contention as among the best MMA fighters of all time after walking away from the UFC undefeated in his skilled profession.
The 37-year-old Russian former MMA star last fought in 2020 against Justin Gaethje and successfully defended the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 254.
Khabib, who has coached Islam Makhachev, vacated the UFC lightweight title in 2021 after Dana White was unable to persuade him to return out of retirement.
Dream fight: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Arman Tsarukyan. Who wins and why?
Drop your pick and explanation for this fantasy matchup below.
Jon Jones thinks that UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov would fall short against Islam Makhachev contained in the octagon
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been out and in of the corner of Islam Makhachev’s MMA coaching team after he retired with an undefeated 29-0 MMA record.
Islam has followed in fellow Russian Khabib’s footsteps by becoming the UFC lightweight champion before he vacated the title ahead of his welterweight climb.
The 34-year-old Russian MMA fighter broke the record for essentially the most consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses in 2025 after his win over Renato Moicano.
Talking to ALF Global, Jon Jones said that he would back ex-lightweight champ Islam in a dream mega-fight against the undefeated Khabib contained in the octagon.
“Khabib against Islam? Islam,” he responded.
Has Islam Makhachev’s UFC run surpassed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s?
Which do you rate higher? Undefeated or two-weight? Tell us within the comments.
Islam Makhachev prepares for his first UFC welterweight title defense after his successful weight-class climb
After he dropped the lightweight belt in 2025, Islam made his move as much as welterweight and defeated Jack Della Maddalena for the title at UFC 322 in 2025.
The MMA fighter secured a unanimous decision win after five rounds in his encounter with Jack Della Maddalena at Madison Square Garden in Recent York City.
Islam is now set to return to the octagon for the primary time in 2026 and the welterweight champion will put his belt on the road against Ian Machado Garry.
The UFC star’s encounter with Ian Machado Garry will happen at UFC 330 on the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on fifteenth August.
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