What Khabib Nurmagomedov has said about Messi–Ronaldo rivalry
3 quotes · 1 episode · Aug 12, 2026
Khabib Nurmagomedov, Russian former mixed martial artist from Dagestan who retired as UFC lightweight champion with a 29-0 record, has been quoted on Messi–Ronaldo rivalry 3 times in 1 episode of Lex Fridman Podcast, most recently on August 12, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Nurmagomedov argues Messi and Ronaldo pulled far ahead of everyone else by watching and competing with each other for nearly two decades.
“For almost 20 years, they've been watching each other, pushing each other, and constantly improving. They were already the best, but that drove them even further”
Lex Fridman Podcast: #500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & Football (Aug 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:41:34
Nurmagomedov says Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on 1,000 career goals and questions whether Messi will ever reach that number.
“Will Messi ever reach that number is the big question”
Lex Fridman Podcast: #500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & Football (Aug 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:42:24
Nurmagomedov values players who take the initiative and are unafraid to fail, citing Zlatan Ibrahimović's complaint about teammates who immediately pass the ball away.
“I like players who are willing to take the initiative”
Lex Fridman Podcast: #500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & Football (Aug 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:51:55
Episodes
#500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & FootballLex Fridman Podcast · Aug 12, 2026
Khabib Nurmagomedov tells Lex Fridman about Dagestan's fighting culture, his father's coaching, the Conor McGregor fight, Islam, and football.
Others on Messi–Ronaldo rivalry
- PFT Commenter · 2 quotes
- Tim Ream · 1 quote
- Roger Bennett · 1 quote
- Dan Katz · 1 quote
Khabib Nurmagomedov on other topics
- Mixed martial arts · 6 quotes
- Ultimate Fighting Championship · 4 quotes
- Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 229) · 4 quotes
- Fame · 4 quotes
- Dagestan · 4 quotes
- Islam · 3 quotes
- Dubai · 1 quote
- Real Madrid CF · 1 quote