Usman Nurmagomedov has aimed at the UFC lightweight top 10 ahead of a potential move to the promotion, and claims its reputation is fueled by the “UFC’s PR machine.”

It is already tough to make it in the UFC, and even tougher to crack into the top 15 of the division. If you talk about getting into the top 10 in the UFC lightweight division, it seems like a task like climbing Mount Everest, and if you do, you are considered one of the great fighters in MMA. 

However, Usman Nurmagomedov, who is a free agent after completing his contract with PFL, has all signs pointing towards a potential signing with the UFC, and he recently raised questions about whether the UFC lightweight division is truly as strong as its reputation suggests. 

Usman Nurmagomedov trashes UFC lightweight top 10

Usman is the biggest free agent in MMA right now. He is considered one of the greatest lightweights outside the UFC, and his undefeated record of 22 wins speaks for itself. He also brings a lot of eyeballs when he fights, as he is a cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

Signs are positive that Usman will sign with the UFC, and fans have already been talking about a potential matchup with top-15-ranked opponents in the UFC lightweight division. 

Recently, he weighed in on the current UFC lightweights ranked by the UFC during an interview with Sport24. He argued that the top fighters ended up fighting each other, which kept them ranked highly. 

 “Just look at these guys in the UFC who are sitting in the top 10. They just keep fighting each other and staying in the top 10. That’s it,” Usman said. 

The Russian fighter then highlighted several notable names, including Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett, while also referencing recent setbacks suffered by Ilia Topuria against Justin Gaethje, and pointed out Arman Tsarukyan‘s inactivity compared to his own run as a champion.

Usman pointed, “Chandler is in the top 15. Pimblett lost to a 37 year old veteran. Topuria who was praising himself – lost, sat down on his stool and said ‘I’m not continuing’. Arman lost to Gamrot and Islam. He sits around waiting, fights once a year and says he’s the best fighter in the world. While he’s had two fights, I made four title defenses.”

Usman then went on to brutally dismiss the UFC’s reputation and claimed its elite competition is overhyped by its PR machine.

“People can talk about how strong the UFC’s PR machine is, but I wouldn’t say their fights are necessarily that much stronger,” Usman asserted. 

Check out Usman Nurmagomedov’s comments below:

Currently, Justin Gaethje is the UFC lightweight champion after dethroning Ilia Topuria with an impressive performance at UFC Freedom 250. If Usman signs with the UFC, he’s unlikely to get the immediate shot against Gaethje; he needs to fight someone from the top 10 before claiming the title shot. 

Usman Nurmagomedov turns down a $2 million per fight offer from PFL

As of now, Usman remains a free agent with 90 days of exclusive re-signing rights with PFL. It started after the completion of the previous contract, in his last fight, a dominant knockout win over Archie Colgan, where he defended his PFL lightweight title. However, in the same interview, Usman revealed that he turned down the PFL’s initial offer to re-sign him, which he claimed was $2 million per fight, and that he was expecting much more.

“Negotiations with the PFL are still ongoing. 90 days have to pass. After that, we’ll see… But I have turned down $2 million. When we made our request for a new contract, the numbers were different. Higher ,” Usman said.