BJ Penn (top left), Khabib Nurmagomedov (bottom right), and Benson Henderson
Khabib Nurmagomedov had no place in Benson Henderson’s lightweight GOAT list
Khabib Nurmagomedov might be the GOAT for many, but not for veteran fighter Benson Henderson.
‘The Eagle of Dagestan’ retired from the UFC in October 2020, with an unbeaten record of 29 wins and 0 losses. He was the lightweight champion when he hung up his gloves as well.
Ever since his retirement, there has been many a debate about him being the Greatest of All Time. While a few have agreed, others have vehemently disputed it as well.
In a recent interview with MMA Mania, former UFC lightweight champion and current Bellator fighter Benson Henderson gave his views on Khabib being considered the GOAT.
Henderson stated that Khabib was just one of the greats and at least 10 to 15 fighters would be above him when placed in the list of GOATs.
Here is what Henderson had to say:
“I’m not gonna put Khabib up there for the greatest ever of all time. You can maybe consider him one of the greats for 155, but as far as one of the greatest of all-time in all weight classes, nah. You might have to miss me on that one. That’s saying something. Greatest of all time, I think there are a good 10 or 15 above him.” [via BJPENN.com]
According to Benson Henderson, former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn is the greatest lightweight of all time.
Henderson supported his claim by explaining that Penn “did it against the best in the world” – who were much better than Khabib’s opponents.
He said:
“For me, BJ Penn is the greatest lightweight of all time. He’s up there for one of the greatest fighters of all weight classes, period. All-time. He did it against the best in the world, at the time they were the best in the world. You can’t complain about he didn’t fight this guy or that guy. At the time that he was fighting, in his heyday, he was fighting the best in the world and he was putting them away. For me, BJ is up there…” [via BJPENN.com]
BJ Penn retired from the UFC in May 2019 after losing to Clay Guida via. unanimous decision. He was inducted into the modern-wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in 2015.
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