UFC boss Dana White claims Khabib Nurmagomedov is on track to become the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history, if he beats Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Unbeaten lightweight champion Nurmagomedov faces American interim champion Gaethje in a unification bout on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi.
Last month, White claimed Jon Jones - who is expected to fight Kiwi Israel Adesanya in 2021 - was the greatest fighter of all time, but Nurmagomedov is breathing down his neck.
Russian Nurmagomedov hasn't fought since September last year, but holds a 28-0 record, while Gaethje is 22-2.
"Khabib is looking down the barrel of being not only the greatest to ever do it in this division, but listen, if he beats Justin [Gaethje], he's the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he's looking at GOAT [Greatest Of All-Time] status," says White.
Nurmagomedov has downplayed any talks of being considered one of the greatest fighters of all-time and insists he's just focussed on beating Gaethje.
"Muhammad Ali is on a different level," says Nurmagomedov. "Mike Tyson is almost the same level, but the personality of Muhammad Ali is a different level.
"For me to become like this is a really hard question. When I was growing up, I knew this guy was the greatest.
"I don't know if I can ever become close to these people. I didn't have this goal, I just want to win my fights, but we'll see in the future, because I'm not finished yet.
"I'm focused on Justin Gaethje. What the UFC has after this fight, you'd be better to ask this guy [White], because he calls us and then we talk about fights.
"What's going to happen after, I don't know. Right now, I'm focused on Justin Gaethje."
Both fighters made the 155 pounds (70kg) weight for the fight, with Nurmagomedov stripping completely naked, with only a towel as cover, as he stepped onto the scales.
The fight is the co-main event for UFC 254, as the other main event bout sees former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker face American Jared Gannonier.
The Whittaker-Cannonier winner may become UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya's next opponent.
Adesanya beat Whittaker last October in Melbourne to claim the middleweight title.
Join Newshub at 7am Sunday for live updates of UFC 254.
