Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because the debate over the biggest potential UFC matchup just got a whole lot more heated! Khabib Nurmagomedov is throwing a curveball into the ring, disagreeing with Joe Rogan’s claim that Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones is the most monumental fight in history. But here’s where it gets controversial: Khabib believes the real blockbuster is Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria. Could he be onto something, or is he just stirring the pot? Let’s dive in.
Joe Rogan recently declared Pereira vs. Jones as the ultimate matchup, a fight he believes would shake the foundations of combat sports. However, Khabib, affectionately known as “The Eagle,” isn’t buying it. In a recent appearance on the Weighing In podcast, he boldly stated, “I think right now, Islam vs. Topuria is gonna be the biggest fight, not Jones and Pereira. It’s still a big fight, but not on that level.” Khabib’s argument hinges on the current momentum and stakes surrounding Makhachev and Topuria, who are both at the peak of their careers and hungry for dominance.
But here’s the part most people miss: While Pereira vs. Jones has undeniable star power, Khabib points out that Jones’s recent retirement drama and Pereira’s quick rise to reclaim the light heavyweight title might not be enough to overshadow the welterweight showdown brewing between Makhachev and Topuria. Jones avoided interim champ Tom Aspinall for over a year before retiring in June, only to re-enter the drug testing pool weeks later after Donald Trump’s UFC White House event announcement. Meanwhile, Pereira’s victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 was impressive, but is it enough to make his matchup with Jones the biggest fight ever?
On the flip side, Makhachev’s move to welterweight after his friend Belal Muhammad lost the title to Jack Della Maddalena adds a layer of intrigue. Makhachev is set to challenge Maddalena at UFC 322 this weekend, and Topuria has already teased a move up to welterweight to face Makhachev if he wins. This narrative of friendship, rivalry, and championship aspirations could make Makhachev vs. Topuria a fight for the ages—or so Khabib argues.
Here’s the controversial question: Is Khabib’s bias toward his protégé Makhachev clouding his judgment, or is he spot-on in recognizing the untapped potential of this welterweight clash? And what does this say about the UFC’s current landscape, where multiple divisions are ripe for historic matchups? Let’s keep the debate alive—do you agree with Khabib, or is Pereira vs. Jones still the undisputed king of potential fights? Sound off in the comments and let’s settle this once and for all!
