Khabib says he can't be compared to Charles from the Bronx: 'no one has ever touched my face'

K. Nurmagomedov retired in October 2020 after beating J. Gaethje. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

the protagonism of Charles of the Bronx in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), with 11 consecutive victories, including winning and defending the belt, makes comparisons between the Brazilian and Khabib Nurmagomedov, considered by some to be the biggest name in the history of the category, who left the title vacant when he retired undefeated in 2020. In Khabib's opinion, however, the comparisons don't make sense.

During an interview with “North American ESPN”, Khabib Nurmagomedov stated that it cannot be compared to Charles of the Bronx, claiming that the Brazilian suffers knockdowns in every fight, while he has never had his face touched by an opponent.

“He impresses me a little, but he falls in every fight. This is a bit bad for him. How many were there in the last fight? Two? Three knockdowns? Against Michael chandler, Dustin poirier e Justin gaethje, he always falls. Nobody has ever touched my face and it falls off in every fight, so people can't compare me to Charles Oliveira. He lost eight times in the UFC, come on. Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Holloway, Felder, it was Charles Oliveira who was there, not Khabib. If you want to deserve to be called the greatest lightweight, you have to beat Islam (Makhachev), Beneil (Dariush), a few more guys, then we can talk”, argued the Russian.

While it is quite unlikely that we will ever see Charles of the Bronx e Khabib Nurmagomedov resolve the matter inside the octagon, a duel between the Brazilian and the former champion's main pupil, Islam makhachev, worth the lightweight belt, is an increasingly close possibility.