Former UFC Champion Claims Khabib Nurmagomedov Isn't In Conversation For GOAT Status

Khabib retired from the sport in October 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, hanging up his gloves following a stunning submission victory over Justin Gaethje.

But Henderson, who beat Frankie Edgar in 2012 to claim the lightweight strap, is adamant 'The Eagle' does not deserve such status.

In fact, he believes there are 10-15 fighters ahead of him in the pecking order.

"But I’m not gonna put Khabib up there for the greatest ever of all time. You can maybe consider him one of the greats for 155, but as far as one of the greatest of all-time in all weight classes, nah. You might have to miss me on that one. "That’s saying something. Greatest of all time, I think there are a good 10 or 15 above him. I’m one of those purists who is about longevity as well. Somebody who has been there and competed at the top level. Not somebody who is 35-0 but only has really 10 fights against the top-level guys."

Bellator fighter Henderson made three UFC lightweight title defences - the same number as Khabib.

He rates Dustin Poirier as the best all-rounder currently but reckons B.J Penn, another former lightweight champ, is the greatest of all-time in that division.

“For me, B.J. Penn is the greatest lightweight of all time," he added.

"He’s up there for one of the greatest fighters of all weight classes, period. All-time. He did it against the best in the world, at the time they were the best in the world. You can’t complain about he didn’t fight this guy or that guy. At the time that he was fighting, in his heyday, he was fighting the best in the world and he was putting them away. For me, B.J. is up there...”