Khabib Nurmagomedov Hails Jon Jones as UFC’s Greatest Fighter

Khabib Nurmagomedov, himself a titan in the world of mixed martial arts, has shared significant praise for fellow fighting legend Jon Jones following his retirement announcement.

Nurmagomedov, who retired with a flawless 29-0 record and is consistently named in discussions about the greatest fighters of all time, went as far as to declare Jones the best athlete “in UFC history.”

Khabib`s Tribute to “Bones”

Via a message shared on Instagram Stories, Nurmagomedov paid tribute to Jones, stating:

“My congratulations, legend. Even we was not friends but you are the best who ever do it in UFC history and you inspire millions of people around the world. You have nothing more to prove in this sport.”

Comparing Undefeated Legacies and Career Highlights

Both Nurmagomedov and Jones concluded their respective MMA careers without suffering a definitive loss within the cage. Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record after securing four consecutive lightweight title defenses. Jon Jones retires with a record of 28-1 (1 No Contest); his only official loss resulted from a controversial disqualification in a 2009 bout against Matt Hamill due to illegal downward elbows.

Jones ascended to superstardom rapidly, becoming the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23 years old by defeating Mauricio “Shogun” Rua for the light heavyweight title – a record that still stands. He successfully defended the title a remarkable 11 times. Following a hiatus from 2020 to 2023, Jones returned at heavyweight and captured a second divisional title by defeating Ciryl Gane for the vacant belt at UFC 285.

Off-Octagon Controversies

However, Jones`s otherwise stellar career has been marred by numerous incidents outside the octagon. His first reign as light heavyweight champion ended in April 2015 when he was stripped of the title following a hit-and-run conviction. Later, a victory over his rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 was overturned after Jones tested positive for banned substances.

Jones, now 37, has also faced multiple charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI) throughout his career and was charged with domestic battery in September 2021.

Adding to the pattern, even Jones`s retirement announcement this past Saturday was reportedly overshadowed by news that same evening that he had recently been charged with leaving the scene of an accident.