Khabib Nurmagomedov Tony Ferguson Rafael Dos Anjos BJ Penn Which one of these lightweights is the best?
Hopefully we will know soon if Khabib and Ferguson fight each other. BJ Penn should be in the conversation, but he seems to have the ambition to undermine his own legacy. I agree that fighters should be judged by their best and much less so by their worst. But he's two losses away from being a 50/50 fighter. That's insane.
I think the only real answer is: To Be Decided. We have to see Tony vs. Khabib to know for sure. Although Khabib is unbeaten, let's face it, other than Conor and RDA, he hasn't really faced the stiffest competition: Pat Healy, Thiago Tavares, 24 hours notice Iaquinta. Not a Khabib hater here, as I am saying he's probably one of the top lightweights ever, I'm just being objective. If Khabib beats Dustin and then beats Tony, he's clearly number 1. Likewise if Tony beats Khabib he's number 1. Back in 2015/2016 I though RDA was going to seize the mantle of lightweight GOAT. He had wins over Ben Henderson, Pettis, Nate Diaz, Cerrone (2X) but then he fumbled the ball against Alvarez.
While I don't think he is yet I could see Khabib finishing his career as the best lightweight and wins over Poirier and Ferguson would put him ahead of Edgar who I think is the best especially considering I thought he got robbed both times against Benson Henderson which should have made him a clearer choice. If Ferguson can beat the winner of Khabib and Poirier in his next fight he'd have to be in the conversation also
For starters he is clearly ahead of Penn,who was always a favourite of mine and he is still high in my all time P4P list because he was 1 of the 1st to have success fighting in multiple divisions but losing 3 times has to put him behind Edgar in any ATG lightweight division list. Khabib has an impressive record and has been such a dominant beast but outside Dos Anjos and Conor the quality of his opposition isn't anywhere near good enough yet, as I said tho he has a great chance to become the best with wins over Poirier and Fergerson. Dos Anjos was impressive in his streak from being a fringe contender to a champion in the division but I think his losses have to count against him when talking about the very best in the division. I really hope Ferguson gets the next title shot and can beat Khabib or Poirier to put himself up there because I think his list of wins may be more impressive then all of them and he just needs that title and some defenses to cement himself as the best.
Definitely both are absolute beasts,I just don't think there the best of all time at the weight yet but if either has continued success they will easily finish as the best
Go back and watch Penn back when he actually cared and performed in the cage. Truly an elite special talent and one of if not the most talent LW champions ever. His losing streak and later struggles are moot. Throughout the 2000s he was the man at the weight. Ferguson has spent too much time at the weight with a deep resume to be rated under Edgar.
I make BJ fav over all mentioned..Brilliant blend of everything and for me, switched on, beats all mentioned !
I agree with a lot of this and I never even bought up any of Penns recent form or used it against him when making my decision so I'm not sure why you are bringing it up as it is irrelevant since he was well past it and most of the fights weren't even at 155.I have never even said anything bad about Penn since he is a favourite of mine and somebody I still rate amongst the best P4P fighters and top 2or3 lightweights of all time,just silly having a discussion about the best Lightweights and not involving Edgar imo. While I don't think you even came close to justifying them being above Edgar I can still respect you and others believing those guys listed being the best or at least in the conversation for the best and as I said these next couple of fight will definitely impact these ratings
