Khabib Nurmagomedov Denies Topuria Resembles Conor

Ohana Magazine – Khabib Nurmagomedov has firmly rejected comparisons between Ilia Topuria and Conor McGregor, despite Topuria’s recent accomplishment of holding two UFC titles in different weight divisions.

Topuria’s Stunning Lightweight Debut

Ilia Topuria made headlines with his impressive debut in the UFC lightweight division. After moving up from featherweight, the 28-year-old fighter was immediately matched against former champion Charles Oliveira in a title bout this past June. Topuria dominated the fight and secured a first-round knockout victory, claiming the lightweight championship.

Double Champion in Two UFC Divisions

Topuria’s victory over Oliveira marked a historic milestone. He now holds UFC titles in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions. Before this achievement, he defended his featherweight title successfully in October 2024 by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 308. His dual-title status quickly drew comparisons to Conor McGregor, who famously achieved a similar feat nearly a decade ago.

McGregor’s Legacy of Dual Championships

In December 2015, Conor McGregor won the featherweight title by knocking out Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds. Less than a year later, he secured the lightweight belt with a dominant performance against Eddie Alvarez, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes. His brash personality, media presence, and knockout power helped elevate his status as one of the sport’s biggest stars.

Khabib Disagrees with the Comparison

However, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov sees no similarity between Topuria and McGregor beyond their championship records. During a conversation with Russian journalist Adam Zubayraev, Khabib offered a more grounded assessment of Topuria’s character.

“Could Ilia Topuria be the next Conor? No, he’s a good person,” Khabib said, as quoted by Bloodyelbow.
“You can see he’s genuinely working to become someone,” he added.

Khabib, who famously defeated McGregor in a heated rivalry match at UFC 229, has often criticized McGregor’s antics outside the octagon. In contrast, he praised Topuria for his professionalism and respectful demeanor.

A New Era in UFC Lightweight Division

Ilia Topuria’s rise signifies a new chapter in the UFC’s lightweight landscape. While comparisons with McGregor are inevitable due to the shared accolades, Topuria appears to be carving his own path with humility and focus. His clean fighting style, combined with consistent performance, may make him a long-standing champion—on his own terms.

As fans continue to debate the legitimacy of these comparisons, one thing is clear: Ilia Topuria is a force to be reckoned with, and he’s doing it without the controversy that often followed McGregor.