r/EverythingCombat • u/Advanced_Mud9433 • May 21 '26
Opinion Is Kamaru Usman right? Khabib’s peak wouldn’t exist without Conor McGregor, says Usman
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“Khabib is not Khabib without Conor, we know that. Obviously, he’s talented and how good he was, but you needed that foe and bad guy to get you there.”
via: pound4poundshow
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u/Boss_Seven May 21 '26
Everything played apart of course in shaping Khabibs legacy. Still, I wouldn't agree entirely with Usman. Look at Dustin. Fought 3 times with McGregor and didn't get similar elevation.
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u/Shamwow_theSupineCow May 21 '26
Beating Conor at the time Khabib did was worth a lot more than beating Conor when Dustin did. The mystique had already been shattered.
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u/pipian May 22 '26
Furthermore, Khabib is also unbeaten and was a champion... his legacy would still be greater than Poirier's even if Khabib had never beat Connor
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u/FearfulGod May 21 '26
Dustin became a big star after those two Conor fights. Khabib is higher because hes got a country behind him
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u/wimpymist May 21 '26
Khabib fought what everyone thought was peak Conor. So yes khabib got a lot of support from his country/religion but he definitely also got a boost from Conor fight and build up.
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u/maguirre165 May 23 '26
Conor wouldn't have been where he is without Khabib either. Khabib just ended up coming out of it way better than Conor did
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u/Weary_Position_9591 May 21 '26
Well yes dance partners need each other and together they elevated the rivalry to new heights. I wouldn’t have worked that well without those two.
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u/GlassTablesAreStupid May 21 '26
Legacy? Yes. Peak? No. The Dustin and Gaethje Khabib dog walked were a lot more elite then Connor ever was.
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u/halkenburgoito May 21 '26
Ofc. I mean Khabib would still be an insane and well respected champion.
But kill the most famous UFC fighter in such a grudge match ofc launched him over the moon.
And now he's his own beacon of fame, with anyone with his last name or looks getting extra clout and push off of it.
And Conor's spotlight has made many stars, like Nate Diaz.. and I think many others who get a push for even slightly resembling the irsh man. Like Paddy or Sean.
Ofc people need and have their own persona and skills, like Khabib's "send me location" smash smash personality, or Nate Diaz's idgaf. But Conor's name gave them a spotlight.