Top UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov made a successful return to the UFC in 2017 after recovering from a debilitating weight cut gone wrong. “The Eagle” faced off against Edson Barboza at UFC 219 in a brutal octagon war. Nurmagomedov put on a dominant performance over his opponent, earning a unanimous decision victory in the end. Now longtime UFC commentating veteran Joe Rogan has come forward to offer his thoughts on where the undefeated lightweight contender stands in the division.
Rogan has a message for reigning champion Conor McGregor and interim title holder Tony Ferguson. As far as the cage side commentator is concerned, they may need some luck to beat Nurmagomedov.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Rogan explained his point of view.
“He’s just on such another level that the odds of beating him drop significantly after the first minute-and-a-half,” Rogan said. “You saw the look on Barboza’s face: Two minutes in and he’s trying to get up. You saw the look on his face and it’s like, ‘(Expletive), how am I gong to do deal with this?’ It’s just so next level.”
“Khabib, after this performance, has set it up to a place where he’s the most terrifying lightweight contender in the world,” Rogan continued. “Then you have Tony Ferguson, whose a (expletive), and has the interim championship, then you have Conor – who knows what happens with him? I think the UFC’s going to give him some time, let the holidays pass, see what the (expletive) happens and then make some moves.”
