Khabib Nurmagomedov: Jon Jones Best Fighter to 'Ever Do It in UFC History'

Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed his on perspective on the MMA GOAT debate in a congratulatory message to Jon Jones.

UFC CEO Dana White announced that Jones was retiring during a post-fight press conference following the promotion’s first ever trip to Azerbaijan this past Saturday, and “Bones” later confirmed the news on social media. The decision came after a lengthy wait for the UFC to book a title unification bout between Jones and Tom Aspinall.

While Jones’ reluctance to accept a fight against Aspinall while holding up the heavyweight division may tarnish his legacy in the eyes of some critics, it apparently didn’t have the same effect on Nurmagomedov.

Khabib Offers High Praise to Retiring 'Bones'

“My congratulations, legend,” Nurmagomedov wrote on his Instagram Stories. “Even [though] we [were] 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.”

That’s high praise from “The Eagle,” a former UFC lightweight champion who retired in 2020 with a 29-0 career mark and is usually included in MMA GOAT discussions along with the likes of Jones, Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre and Demetrious Johnson.

Jones retires with a career mark of 28-1 with one no contest. His lone defeat came via disqualification against Matt Hamill at the “The Ultimate Fighter 10” finale in December 2009 due to illegal downward elbows. However, those strikes have since been legalized due to a revision to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. While his reign at heavyweight was brief, Jones made his name at light heavyweight, where he became the youngest champion in UFC history by vanquishing Mauricio Rua when he was 23 years old. “Bones” defended the crown 11 times, and his 16 victories in UFC title fights overall ranks No. 1 in promotion history.

“Bones” endured his fair share of issues during his tenure, from failed drug tests in the UFC to legal issues outside of the cage. Most recently, it was revealed on the same day as his retirement that Jones is facing criminal charges for fleeing the scene of an accident earlier this year.