Artur Beterbiev, one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters, has added his voice to the ongoing Khabib vs Islam debate. Speaking from the IBA Men’s Elite World Championships in Dubai, Beterbiev gave his thoughts on the comparison between the two Dagestani fighters.
Both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev have left a significant mark on the lightweight division. Khabib retired as an undefeated champion, while Makhachev has taken things even further by moving up in weight to become a two-division champion. Despite Islam’s accomplishments, Khabib is still widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters ever because of his dominance and impact on the sport.
“Father’s plan” came together earlier than many expected after Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed away in 2020. Khabib retired soon after that. Meanwhile, Makhachev took things further by moving up a division and becoming a two-weight world champion at UFC 322—something his mentor never did during his career.
Artur Beterbiev weighs in on Islam Makhachev vs Khabib Nurmagomedov debate
While Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev were putting Dagestan on the map as MMA’s most dominant region, Artur Beterbiev has been plowing his furrow at the elite level in boxing. He is considered one of the sport’s best pound-for-pound, only losing out on top spot after a defeat to Dmitry Bivol this year.
Even though he came up through boxing, he’s long respected Dagestan’s wrestling roots and followed Khabib and Islam’s rise in the UFC. Speaking to Bloody Elbow from Dubai during the IBA Men’s Elite Championships, he weighed up their careers before leaning towards Makhachev.
Beterbiev pointed to Islam holding two belts as a key factor, despite Khabib retiring unbeaten. “Who is better, Khabib or Islam?” He clarified when asked by Bloody Elbow in Dubai at the IBA Men’s Elite Championships. “If you look at what they have done in the sport… Makhachev has become a two-division champion. I will say Makhachev. But Khabib retired undefeated. He is good too.”
Artur Beterbiev says street fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov would be ’50-50′
Beterbiev, known for his wrestling roots and intense training, has backed himself to hold his own against one of the sport’s legends. Asked by a media member at the event in Dubai who would win if they were to meet in the street, Beterbiev replied that “Khabib is younger than me, but I think it’s 50-50.”
“Of course, we can never know what could have happened,” he continued. “We will never know. But I think that Islam is a better fighter.”
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