Khabib Nurmagomedov was a force of nature in the UFC.
No fighter can lay claim to beating the legendary lightweight champion, who retired from MMA while on top in 2020, with a perfect record of 29-0.
UFC stars like Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier could not survive Khabib Nurmagomedov’s high-level wrestling and submission skills in their five-round title fights.
So, how long would pro athletes outside MMA last against the undefeated Nurmagomedov, in his prime?
UFC boss Dana White was asked the question during Canelo vs. Crawford fight week.
The first athlete against ‘prime’ Nurmagomedov in a hypothetical fight? NBA star Draymond Green.
“Not long. I don’t know. 10 seconds,” White told Overtime.
What about 6’9″ NBA legend LeBron James?
“10 seconds,” White gave the all-time great against Nurmagomedov.
“He’s gonna get him and he’s gonna strangle him or rip his arm off.
— Overtime (@overtime) September 15, 2025
The interviewer included streamer IShowSpeed in the mix.
“That’s interesting because he is a very athletic, talented kid, but not long,” White said before being asked about YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul (12-1).
“The difference between the Paul brothers is they have some wrestling and things like that, but I’ll give Jake 25 seconds.
“It’s better than LeBron. Jake actually fights, but it doesn’t last long,” said White.
Nurmagomedov’s last four UFC fights went by quicker and quicker.
In his 29-fight career, Nurmagomedov has only been the championship distance once and that was in his first title fight against ‘Raging’ Al Iaquinta in 2018.
Iaquinta is the only man to go five rounds with Nurmagomedov, who has mauled most of his opponents with his grappling.
After winning the vacant title, Nurmagomedov tapped out McGregor in four rounds, Poirier in three, and Gaethje in just two rounds, which was his retirement fight.
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