Outside Source
While most elite fighters of Makhachev’s team are in the UFC, Nurmagomedov is making waves in the Professional Fighters League. The undefeated PFL lightweight champion is inevitably being compared to top-tier UFC lightweights. Makhachev knows Nurmagomedov’s true potential, having trained with him since childhood. The UFC welterweight champion believes Nurmagomedov can pose a serious threat to the best UFC lightweights.
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Nurmagomedov has one fight left on his current PFL contract, which will expire at the end of 2026 regardless of whether he fights again. While Makhachev believes Nurmagomedov is already ready for the UFC, he doesn’t want his teammate to rush things. Makhachev believes it will be the perfect time for Nurmagomedov’s UFC career once his PFL contract expires in 2026.
Plenty of Time Ahead
“Honestly, I don’t think Usman is any worse than anyone [in the UFC],” Makhachev told Ushatayka. “He would give very hard rounds to any of them. We have been training together for so many years, and I know his true potential. He is still young and has plenty of time ahead of him. If you ask me, I think he is ready. But let him take his time. As long as his contract expires within a year, it will be the perfect time [to move to the UFC].”
Nurmagomedov (21-0) has finished 15 of his 21 career wins so far, leaving behind names like Patricky Freire and Benson Henderson in his wake. Nurmagomedov won the inaugural PFL lightweight title against Paul Hughes last year and has since defended it in a rematch against Hughes and against Alfie Davis.
Islam believes that Usman Nurmagomedov is already good enough to compete at the UFC level but says he doesn’t need to rush, and as long as his contract expires within the next year, it’ll be a perfect time to join the UFC
“I think he’s ready, he would give hard rounds to anyone… pic.twitter.com/4xlU9rDfmC
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 21, 2026
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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