Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) greets Bruce Buffer (left) after the fight between Abubakar Nurmagomedov (red gloves) and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Draws A Hard Comparison Between Jon Jones’ Legacy And His Achievements

While Jon Jones boasts championship dominance, Khabib Nurmagomedov suggests legacy is earned through honor, not just accolades!

The debate about who ranks as the greatest UFC fighter of all time never gets old. Fans love arguing about it at pretty much anywhere MMA comes up in conversation. Names like Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Fedor Emelianenko always pop up in these discussions. But one name consistently dominates the conversation despite all his troubles outside the octagon: Jon Jones. The guy has been stirring up controversy since he first stepped into the UFC, yet his fighting record speaks for itself. Recently, Khabib Nurmagomedov decided to weigh in on this endless debate, and his take might surprise some people.

Nurmagomedov knows a thing or two about greatness himself. The Dagestani legend retired with a perfect 29-0 record and rarely lost a single round in his UFC fights. When someone with Khabib’s credentials talks about other fighters, people listen. His recent comments about Jon Jones reveal a fascinating perspective on what separates achievements from legacy.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Compares Jon Jones’ Achievements vs Legacy

According to Nurmagomedov, most fans mix up these two concepts, but they’re actually very different things. One measures what you accomplish in the cage, while the other focuses on how you inspire others outside of it. Talking to Adam Zubayraev, he made his position crystal clear when discussing Jones’ place in UFC history.

“Achievements and legacy are different things. I think a lot of people confuse those two concepts. As far as achievements go, no one can compare to Jon Jones in the UFC right now, and it’ll be very hard for anyone in the near future. So, what is legacy? …Kids, they look at you, and they feel inspired by you. That’s what legacy means…There have always been, and always will be questions about his behaviour, his character, and so on… As a fighter, he’s the best. When it comes to personal qualities, I think there will always be questions, always.”

Khabib breaks down the comparison between him and Jon Jones — explaining that legacy and achievements are two very different things. 🐐👀

"In the UFC, achievements and legacy are different things. As far as achievements go, no one can compare to Jon Jones in the UFC, and it’ll… pic.twitter.com/hDzQ1r8203
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 22, 2025

The numbers back up this claim pretty convincingly. Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23 years old. He defended his light heavyweight title eight times and later captured the heavyweight belt too. His resume includes wins over legends like Daniel Cormier, Lyoto Machida, Stipe Miocic and Shogun Rua. These are the cold, hard facts that define achievement in professional fighting.

‘The Eagle’ explained that legacy comes from inspiration, from making kids look at you and think they want to follow your path. This is where things get complicated for Jones. His fighting skills have never been questioned. Khabib Nurmagomedov himself admitted that as a fighter, Jones has no equal in the UFC. The problem lies in everything else that surrounds his career. Multiple failed drug tests, legal troubles, and personal controversies have clouded his legacy for years.

(Image Credit: Craig Kidwell – Imagn Images)

Jon Jones

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!