Robert Whittaker and Khabib Nurmagomedov both competed at UFC 254, with Whittaker defeating Jared Cannonier and Nurmagomedov defeating Justin Gaethje.
Even though Whittaker competes two weight classes higher than Nurmagomedov, don’t expect to see Whittaker accept a fight with him.
“He’s just a freak, isn’t he? Good gosh, he is so good,” Whittaker said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show (via Abhinav Kani of The Body Lock MMA). “He made one of the best dudes in the world look not like one of the best dudes in the world. It’s phenomenal. I’ll tell you right now — I wouldn’t want to take a fight with him [laughs]. I’m much bigger than he is…he’s a scary dude.”
Luckily for Whittaker and other potential future opponents, Nurmagomedov retired after his victory at UFC 254.
Whittaker also sides with Nurmagomedov when it comes to the pound for pound fighter debate with Jon Jones.
“I like Jon, I do. I think even Jon would say … maybe not [laughs]. I don’t know, Khabib’s been flawless,” Whittaker said. “He’s had a flawless run and he’s had no hiccups. He’s had no obstacles. He’s made every fight look easy. I think Khabib has done something special, like there wasn’t a single person that Khabib went up against that people were like, ‘aw, he might get him.’ Everyone has always been like he’s going to maul this dude.”
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