Jon Jones is having none of some fans’ claim that Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest MMA fighter ever.
In a video posted on his Instagram account Monday, the former UFC light heavyweight champion took shots at the pro-Nurmagomedov argument and repeated the difference in UFC title defenses as his main talking point.
“I’m talking to all you Khabib fans out there,” Jones said. “Fifteen world titles to your guy’s four. And you guys really talking about who’s the best fighter ever? You guys are joking, right? Fifteen to four, are you guys kidding me?”
In Jones’ estimation, there is one fighter who could edge him out of the No. 1 slot when all is said and done. However, it would require the said fighter to come out of retirement and win two more title fights – and for Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) never win UFC title gold again.
“The only person who could possibly come back and challenge my record and what I’ve done in the UFC is possibly Georges St-Pierre,” Jones said. “He’d have to come back and win two championship fights to tie me. And I’m not even retired yet. I’m 33 years old. We’ve got a whole other chapter to go through. You guys are nuts. I love you guys so much. I hope you guys all have a great day.”
But that wasn’t a sign-off and Jones wasn’t done yet. The longtime 205-pound UFC champion delved into a specific argument that some fans have used against him in the wake of Nurmagomedov’s UFC 254 win over Justin Gaethje.
“Fifteen world championships to four,” Jones said. “And all you guys that are going with this, ‘He’s more dominant,’ argument? The guy just recently started fighting elite-level competition. Could you imagine me against the No. 10 ranked guy?”
Jones has not competed since a February split decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. In August, Jones vacated his UFC light heavyweight championship in anticipation of a move to heavyweight.
Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) announced his retirement following his second-round submission over Gaethje on Saturday.