Khabib on path to become 'G.O.A.T.': UFC chief Dana

Abu Dhabi - Saturday's win over Dustin Poirier puts Khabib on the longest undefeated run in the sport of mixed martial arts.

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who improved his record to 28 unbeaten bouts, is couple of fights away from 'G.O.A.T.' (Greatest of All Time) status, UFC president Dana White said in Abu Dhabi.
In the UFC 242, Khabib defended his title with a third-round submission victory over interim title-holder Dustin Poirier at the Arena early on Sunday.
"Khabib is unbelievable. He was incredibly dominant even though there was some drama when he was caught in that guillotine. Lot of people doesn't get out of that thing. Dustin had that thing deep. Most people would have tapped and gone to sleep to that guillotine," Dana told reporters referring to the third round choke attempt made by Dustin. However, Khabib reversed the submission move and Dustin tapped out. The win puts Khabib on the longest undefeated run in the sport of mixed martial arts.
"Khabib is pretty special. He is couple of fights away from potential G.O.A.T. status. To go undefeated this long with this many fights, he is looking down the barrel of pretty special career."
Dana confirmed Tony Ferguson as 'next in line' to fight Khabib and if it didn't work out then it will be Conor McGregor.
"We will see how this thing works out, when Khabib will fight again and if Tony wants to fight. If for whatever reason Tony doesn't want the fight then Conor (rematch) will make lot of sense."
He reiterated that ambitious plans are afoot to host fight nights 'much bigger' in scale than hosted in UFC headquarters of Las Vegas. "When we come back next year, we are talking about doing, Looking for a Fight, and actually having the fight on the top of the Louvre," Dana underlined.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com