Khabib: Usman Nurmagomedov On Same Level as Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan

Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, can hold his own against the best UFC lightweights. 

Usman became the inaugural Professional Fighters LeagueL lightweight champion with a victory over Paul Hughes last year. While the UFC is considered the pinnacle of MMA success, Khabib believes Usman is on par with any UFC lightweight. Khabib admits that he wouldn’t have said the same of Usman a year back. However, having trained and sparred with Usman over the past year, Khabib claims the PFL lightweight champion is on the same level as UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan.

Rapid Improvement

“I have my own opinion on this, but it’s not right to talk about the UFC being a PFL fighter. In one year, Usman has grown a lot,” Khabib told Team Gorilla Fighting. “I’m fighting with him myself, I’m working personally. And from the outside, he’s at least on the same level as them [Ilia and Arman]. A year ago I would have said we still have to wait, but now he’s already at that level. Time will show.”

Usman (20-0) was also the lightweight champion at Bellator, where he beat the likes of Patricky Freire, Benson Henderson and Alexandr Shabliy. Usman also defended the PFL lightweight title in a rematch against Hughes this past October. The undefeated Dagestani is now scheduled to defend his title against Alfie Davis at PFL Road to Dubai on Saturday at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. 

This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com

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