Top 10 best Eastern European fighters in MMA history

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Las Vegas, United States – 6 October 2018; Khabib Nurmagomedov locks in a rear naked choke on Conor McGregor, resulting in a tap out, in their UFC lightweight championship fight during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images) /

3. Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov

Out of everyone currently on the list, Khabib Nurmagomedov might have the best chance of sitting at the number one spot when the article is rewritten five or ten years from now. Plus after defeating icon Conor McGregor on the main event of the largest pay-per-view in MMA history, he is probably the most recognizable name on the list to casual fans.

Nurmagomedov has one of if not the best top game in MMA today. The sambo specialist has been able to take down his last eight opponents including setting a UFC record by taking down Abel Trujillo a record 21 times. A record that gets even more impressive considering Trujillo was a four-time NAIA All-American wrestler. When the Dagestanian gets his foe to the canvas, he does what can be described by his own words as “mauling” his opponent.

Nurmagomedov is the current UFC lightweight champion, who hasn’t met his match yet, sporting a perfect 27-0 record. Except for a match against Gleison Tibau back in 2012, nobody has even been a challenge for him. He even defeated Tibau by unanimous decision and clean swept the rounds according to all three judges. In fact, Nurmagomedov is so dominant that he was only lost one round in his entire career. That was the third round of his fight against McGregor. It couldn’t have been that big of a deal for the Russian, who finished McGregor the very next round.

If Nurmagomedov can stay undefeated for a few more years while defending the UFC title, he will be in the GOAT discussion.

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