Artur Beterbiev, the top pound-for-pound boxer, shared his thoughts on the ongoing Khabib vs. Islam debate during the IBA Men’s Elite World Championship in Dubai.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are both celebrated UFC lightweight champions who achieved their titles before Khabib’s retirement, fulfilling a prophecy made by Khabib’s father. At 37, Khabib is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. Following the untimely death of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in 2020 and Khabib’s subsequent retirement, Makhachev has advanced further by becoming a two-division UFC world champion at UFC 322, a feat Khabib never reached.
Beterbiev, who has excelled in boxing while representing Dagestan—an area famed more for wrestling than boxing—has long admired his MMA compatriots. When asked to choose who is better between Khabib and Makhachev, he considered their records and personal qualities, ultimately giving the edge to Makhachev for holding two belts, even though Khabib retired undefeated.
Regarding a hypothetical street fight between Khabib and a top boxer like himself, Beterbiev expressed confidence due to his wrestling background and rigorous training, predicting a balanced outcome: a 50-50 chance.
Fan Take: This discussion highlights the evolving legacy of Dagestan’s fighters, showing how new champions like Makhachev are rising to challenge legends like Khabib. For fight fans, it signals an exciting era where the torch is being passed while opening up fresh debates about greatness and skill across combat sports.
