MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has questioned the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov after Charles Oliveira's recent win against Dustin Poirier.
Oliveira made the first defence of his UFC lightweight title by submitting Poirier in the main event UFC 269 last weekend.
The Brazilian won the title - which was vacated by Nurmagomedov - in May by knocking out former Bellator standout Michael Chandler.
Nurmagomedov officially retired from the sport earlier this year after beating top contenders Justin Gaethje, Conor McGregor and Poirier in his final three fights.
But Sonnen thinks Khabib's legacy has been damaged by the emergence of Oliveira as the best lightweight in the world.
"The legacy of Khabib was on trial last night, Sonnen said on his YouTube channel after UFC 269.
"Khabib left the division having told the world that he has cleaned it out and nobody can compete with him."
"But there was a guy there and this isn't a new era, Oliveira was there when Khabib was there and they never did cross paths.
"This wasn't some younger guy. Oliveira's two or three years older than Khabib and now they have a common opponent known as Dustin Poirier.
"Oliveira disposed of Poirier 61 seconds faster than Khabib. Anybody that wants to talk about legacy and then tell me I can't do the math I just did, doesn't know what legacy means."
Nurmagomedov was the last man to defeat Poirier before Oliveira's win against him, choking him out in their 2019 title fight.
The Russian promised his mother he would not fight again following the death of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Has Nurmagomedov's legacy been damaged after Oliveira's recent win? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
Oliveira picked up his 10th straight win by submitting Poirier, with an impressive 9 of those wins coming by stoppage.
"We need to be a little more respectful to Charles Oliveira. He's proven his point. He is the king of the toughest division in the sport," Sonnen continued.
"155-pounds is the toughest and the deepest iron on top of iron division in the sport. He sits at the top of it. Let's put a little respect on his name."
Sonnen may have praised 'Do Bronx' for being the best 155-pounder in the UFC, but he predicted him to lose to Gaethje when they fight next year.
"Oliveira gets hit a lot and he gets hurt when he gets hit. Justin Gaethje hits people a lot but they stay hurt when Justin hits them."
UFC president Dana White confirmed Gaethje - not McGregor - would be next in line for Oliveira after he topped off an excellent 2021 campaign.
