If Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn’t around, who would he consider the greatest lightweight fighter of all time?
Simple — UFC Hall-of-Famer B.J. Penn.
Nurmagomedov might be the current lightweight GOAT but he considers Penn a legend and pioneer of the sport who ranks among some of the greatest champions in UFC history.
“I think the impersonation of the lightweight division was BJ Penn for a long time,” Khabib said at a recent press conference (h/t BJPenn.com). “I can explain… Despite many defeats (towards the end of his career), he won the lightweight title, defended it and also moved up to welterweight and won the belt there.