McGregor ranks Islam Makhachev above Khabib and Cormier

Conor McGregor has placed Islam Makhachev above both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier in his personal all-time rankings, pointing to the champion's résumé and activity across two weight classes as the deciding factors. McGregor also pushed back against those calling for Makhachev to retire, arguing the champion still has significant fighting left in him.

Makhachev, 34, currently holds the welterweight title and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a record of 28-1-0. The Dagestan-born southpaw trains out of Eagles MMA and has built a case as one of the sport's most complete fighters, landing strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Nurmagomedov, 37, retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and remains one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history. The Russian finished his career with a takedown rate of 5.32 per 15 minutes and a striking accuracy of 48 percent — numbers that defined an era at lightweight.

Cormier, now 47, compiled a record of 22-3-0 across a career that saw him compete at both light heavyweight and heavyweight. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, he averaged 4.25 significant strikes per minute and was a consistent threat on the mat with 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's cross-divisional activity gives him a broader résumé argument than Khabib, who competed exclusively at lightweight
• The pound-for-pound top ranking adds weight to McGregor's assessment, placing Makhachev among the best fighters on the planet right now
• Calls for Makhachev to retire could shape public narrative heading into UFC 329 on July 11, where divisional stakes remain high