Tom Brady knows what sustained greatness looks like. Across 23 NFL seasons, he set the standard for winning under pressure, collecting seven Super Bowl titles and five Super Bowl MVP awards. Even in retirement, Brady’s opinions still carry weight across the sports world, especially when the conversation turns to legacy and dominance.
That perspective recently crossed into mixed martial arts. During a conversation with MMA personality Nina-Marie Daniele, Brady was asked a simple but loaded question: who does he see as the greatest of all time in the UFC? The clip, later shared on Daniele’s Instagram stories, immediately drew attention from both football and fight fans.
Brady did not hedge. His picks were Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov, two names that regularly sit at the center of the MMA GOAT debate. “Jon Jones and Khabib. Love both,” Brady said, delivering his verdict with the calm confidence of someone who has lived through endless comparisons himself.
Khabib, Jon Jones and Cormier. I love ‘DC’. It’s hard to love ‘DC’ and Jon, but I love both
Brady’s view of greatness mirrors his own career
Jones’ case is built on longevity and adaptability. According to ESPN and official UFC records, he dominated the light heavyweight division for over a decade, defended his title multiple times, and later captured the heavyweight belt. While discussions continue about a possible matchup with Alex Pereira, recent reporting from MMA Fighting suggests that bout may be slipping out of reach.
Khabib’s legacy follows a different path. He retired undefeated at 29-0, a record confirmed by UFC statistics, and left the sport as lightweight champion. His submission win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 remains one of the most iconic moments in modern MMA, both for its intensity and its global reach.
The conversation then took a playful turn. Daniele asked Brady if he believed in aliens and, if so, which fighters he would choose to face them. Without hesitation, Brady named Jones and Khabib again, then added Daniel Cormier.
“Khabib, Jon Jones and Cormier. I love ‘DC‘. It’s hard to love ‘DC’ and Jon, but I love both,”Brady said, referencing one of the UFC’s most personal rivalries. Cormier, a former two-division champion and current UFC commentator, famously clashed with Jones during his fighting career.
There was an interesting pattern in Brady’s picks. All three fighters share elite wrestling backgrounds and a reputation for control rather than flashy striking. It is a choice that reflects Brady’s own career philosophy, built on fundamentals, discipline, and relentless execution. In Brady’s world, whether it is the Super Bowl or a hypothetical alien invasion, control wins.
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