Ilia Topuria recently expressed his lukewarm opinion of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s MMA performances, stating he was never impressed by the Dagestani fighter’s style. Speaking during a livestream with streamer Adin Ross, Topuria suggested that Khabib only became entertaining in the final part of his career despite being undefeated.
When asked to list his top five MMA fighters of all time, Topuria quickly mentioned Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones but hesitated to name the remaining three. Ross proposed Demetrious Johnson as a possible candidate, but Topuria dismissed that option. When Khabib’s name came up, Topuria firmly disagreed with including him among the greatest fighters:
“[Nurmagomedov] wasn’t fun to watch until his last two fights. What made him fun to watch was that he was undefeated and the fact that there was going to be somebody who was going to beat him. But the reality was, I never was fan of his fight style.”
Topuria’s remarks contrast with the widespread respect Khabib commands as one of the most dominant UFC lightweight champions, who famously defended his 155-pound title three times during his reign.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy and Ilia Topuria’s Rise in UFC
Khabib Nurmagomedov, now 37, holds a celebrated record including significant victories over fighters like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. Despite this, Topuria, a two-division UFC champion, sees things differently. He has made a remarkable mark with knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, earning praise for what many consider one of the greatest three-fight streaks in UFC history.
Khabib’s Comments on Ilia Topuria’s Chances Against Arman Tsarukyan
Looking ahead in the lightweight division, Ilia Topuria appears to be on a possible collision course with Arman Tsarukyan. In a 2025 interview with Russian journalist Islam Babadzhanov, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his assessment of both fighters. He expressed doubt about Topuria’s ability to defeat Tsarukyan, referring to Arman as the current best lightweight following Islam Makhachev’s departure from the division:
“I don’t see a chance for Topuria against Tsarukyan. I don’t give him a chance in striking too. Arman fights at a good distance with punchers; he keeps his distance well, good footwork [as well]. He has material that he can watch and study well. If he fought him three fights ago, maybe he wouldn’t be as ready, but now you can already see what to fear from Topuria. I think the best fighter in the lightweight division right now is Tsarukyan, without Makhachev.”
Khabib’s evaluation positions Tsarukyan as a major force in the division, highlighting his strategic approach and readiness compared to Topuria’s style.
The Significance of These Perspectives in the UFC Lightweight Landscape
Ilia Topuria’s critique of Khabib Nurmagomedov challenges popular narratives in the MMA community, especially regarding Khabib’s reputation as both a dominant champion and an entertaining fighter. Topuria’s own impressive streak has raised expectations for his future, while Khabib’s endorsement of Arman Tsarukyan as the leading lightweight adds an intriguing dynamic to the division.
As Topuria continues defending his multi-division titles, the prospect of facing Tsarukyan or rising contenders fuels speculation about the lightweight division’s hierarchy. These insights from two prominent fighters reflect the evolving competition and tactical styles shaping the UFC’s future matchups.
Ilia Topuria says Khabib and Demetrious Johnson are NOT top 5 all time 👀
“[Khabib] wasn’t fun to watch until his last two fights, what made him fun to watch was that he was undefeated and there was somebody that was gonna beat him. But the reality was, I was never a fan of his… pic.twitter.com/SELpVp1Fgm
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) February 27, 2026
