Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he can 'never be friends' with Jon Jones amid UFC GOAT debate

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained the reason he would never be ‘friends’ with current heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

The Russian is widely considered to be one of the best mixed martial artists of all time. He rose to stardom following his bitter feud with Conor McGregor, which culminated in the pair fighting at UFC 229 in October 2018.

Khabib came away with a victory following a fourth-round submission of the Irishman.

After the beef was settled in the octagon, there was always bad blood between the pair, but they never fought again.

‘The Eagle’ continued to impress fans with flawless performances, defeating top fighters such as Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before his premature retirement following the death of his father in 2020.

Khabib, despite not fighting, has stayed part of the UFC fraternity by coaching current lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.

The 36-year-old’s former coach, Javier Mendez, who coaches at American Kick Boxing Academy, is also one of Makhachev’s closest associates.

Despite coming from Dagestan, Russia, Khabib has several friends in the States from his time at the gym - including UFC commentator and former light heavyweight/heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.

Cormier had a long-standing feud with Jon Jones dating back to their January 2015 and July 2017 fights – the second was deemed a ‘no contest’ after Jones tested positive for steroid turinabol according to BBC Sport. Cormier was subsequently reinstated as the UFC light heavyweight champion.

As a result, Khabib has stayed loyal to his friend Cormier and explained how this was the reason he and Jones could never be “friends”.

Khabib and Daniel Cormier are friends (Credit:Getty)

“I never had any disagreements with [Jon] Jones,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram on Sunday morning, responding to a clip of Jones naming him as an all-time top-five UFC fighter.

“As a fighter, he is great, and it will be hard to match him.

“But my friend [Daniel] Cormier is in conflict with him, so Jones can’t be my friend. I don’t befriend those who aren’t friends with my friends.”

In the clip mentioned, Jones was discussing who he thought was the GOAT (greatest of all time), and unsurprisingly, the Russian’s name cropped up.

“I love what Khabib [Nurmagomedov] represents,” Jones said on Instagram.

“We’ve had our differences in the past, I’ve made some quotes about him, but there has never been a real beef.

“I love the way he carries himself as a Muslim, I love the way he represents his country.

"I love the businessman that he is, he just seems like a stand-up guy. He gives back to others, he’s a stand-up guy, he’s an admirable man, and I appreciate it.”

Jones is set to return to action on November 16 at UFC 309 where he will face former champion and Cormier’s previous opponent Stipe Miocic.