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Khabib Nurmagomedov Drops a Bold Goal for Usman Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov has set an ambitious benchmark for PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. The former UFC champion said his long-term vision for his cousin goes beyond organizational success or championship longevity.
Usman is set to defend his lightweight title against Alfie Davis in the main event of PFL Dubai on Saturday. This will be his first title defense since he defeated Paul Hughes to become the inaugural PFL lightweight champion last October.
Usman has earned praise from coaches and teammates, including AKA coach Javier Mendez. He won the Bellator lightweight title before moving to the PFL. Like his cousin Khabib, he became an undisputed champion without losing a fight.
‘The Eagle’ said he and Mendez are working hard to help Usman reach his full potential. He believes the PFL champion can become the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport and one of the all-time greats.
UFC Legend Khabib Nurmagomedov Shares Long-Term Vision for Usman Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his long-term plan for Usman Nurmagomedov and said his coaches saw his potential early. Many MMA observers consider Usman the best fighter outside the UFC, and his resume supports that view.
Javier Mendez has described Usman as the most skilled fighter he has ever coached. His opinion matters because Mendez has developed several former UFC champions, including Daniel Cormier, Islam Makhachev, Luke Rockhold, and Khabib.
“Our goal is to make [Usman Nurmagomedov the] best fighter pound-for-pound, and best to ever do this. Me and coach Jav [Mendez], and when my father was alive, he was working very hard and he believes he could be best to ever do this,” Nurmagomedov told PFL’s social media team.
Nurmagomedov added that Usman’s legacy will not depend solely on title defenses or championship statistics.
“Me and coach Jav work morning and night not to make [Usman Nurmagomedov] not just champion who can defend [his title] six times,” Nurmagomedov said. “He has very big potential for his.”
Nurmagomedov Says Usman is a Level Above Alfie Davis
Nurmagomedov also assessed Usman’s upcoming title fight with Alfie Davis. He said Davis is a strong fight, but he is not on his cousin’s level.
The reigning PFL lightweight champion enters the fight with an unbeaten 20-0-1 record. His resume includes notable wins over Paul Hughes, Alexandr Shabliy, and former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
Nurmagomedov highlighted areas where Usman holds an advantage over Davis. ‘The Eagle’ added that the PFL champion is training for a full five-round fight. But he also acknowledged Usman’s ability to finish the fight if the opportunity comes.
“Alfie [Davis] and Usman have unpredictable fight style. They move a lot, have good kicks, spinning kicks. But I think Usman is one class above, Usman is better,” Nurmagomedov told PFL’s social media team. “We are preparing for a long night, we don’t prepare for one round finish, we prepare for five-round fight. But if a finish comes, Usman is going to finish him.”
Nurmagomedov is expected to corner his cousin Usman, which should be a boost the PFL champion’s confidence.
Giancarlo Aulino Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy.com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and York United FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM.
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