Rafael Fiziev Declares Former UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as the Greatest Fighter of All Time

Throughout the course of his career, Khabib Nurmagomedov was known as one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts. Now, almost five years after his retirement, he’s widely recognized as one of the greatest of all time. From his suffocating grappling style to his unbeaten 29-0 record, Khabib accomplished incredible feats that many believe will never be replicated in modern MMA history.
Beyond his fighting days, he’s also left his mark as a coach, helping to guide the next generation of dominant Dagestani fighters. While debates over MMA’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time) are common, lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev recently weighed in on the discussion—firmly placing Khabib at the top.
Rafael Fiziev, who is set to face former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje this weekend at UFC 313, made his thoughts clear when asked about the greatest fighter in MMA history.
“The guy who never lost, the one guy. It’s Khabib, yeah,” Fiziev said in a recent interview.

For Fiziev, the argument is simple: Khabib’s perfect record is unmatched, and his ability to dominate world-class opponents without ever tasting defeat is what sets him apart.
It’s a sentiment shared by many in the MMA community. Khabib ran through a gauntlet of elite fighters, including Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, and Gaethje, finishing each of them in devastating fashion. His grappling was so overwhelming that opponents often looked hopeless once he got them to the ground.
Even in retirement, his influence hasn’t faded. Under his coaching, fighters like Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov have risen to championship status, proving that the Nurmagomedov legacy is still going strong.
The conversation about MMA’s GOAT will likely continue for years to come, with names like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva frequently brought up. However, for Rafael Fiziev, Khabib’s undefeated record and dominance leave no room for debate.
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As Fiziev prepares for his own war against Gaethje at UFC 313, in what promises to be an explosive battle, he’ll hope to take another step toward lightweight greatness—though he knows he still has a long way to go to match Khabib’s legendary status.