According to coach Javier Mendez, who trains UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the second-best lightweight fighter globally is not currently competing in the UFC.
Mendez, a highly respected figure in MMA coaching, has guided numerous world champions, including the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0), Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, and Islam Makhachev. Makhachev himself recently hinted at pursuing a second title in the welterweight division.
Makhachev recently vacated his lightweight belt, intending to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. This leaves the lightweight title open, with Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira scheduled to fight for it at UFC 317.
Former champion Oliveira holds a 13-2 record in his last 15 fights, with one loss coming against Makhachev. His opponent, Topuria, aims to maintain his perfect 17-0 professional record and potentially become a two-division champion. Topuria has only one professional bout at lightweight, a knockout victory over Jai Herbert after facing some adversity.
Despite the upcoming clash for the vacant UFC title, Makhachev`s coach firmly believes there`s another lightweight whose skills surpass both Topuria and Oliveira: Usman Nurmagomedov.
Javier Mendez Ranks Usman Nurmagomedov Second in Lightweight Division
The 27-year-old Usman is part of the renowned fighting family, being the younger brother of UFC bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov and cousin of undefeated former UFC lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020. Usman maintains the family`s winning tradition with a perfect 19-0 professional record.
Appearing on Tim Welch’s Red Hawk Recap, Mendez stated, “I think he’s the second-best lightweight in the world.”
Usman Nurmagomedov previously held the Bellator lightweight championship, successfully defending it against notable fighters such as former UFC champion Benson Henderson, Alexander Shabliy, and Ireland’s Paul Hughes in a memorable PFL bout in January. His record in PFL and Bellator stands at 8-0 with one no-contest.
Why Isn`t Usman Nurmagomedov Competing in the UFC?
Despite his impressive credentials and high ranking by Mendez, Usman Nurmagomedov remains outside the UFC, currently under contract with the PFL.
Mendez confirmed, “He’s with PFL and there’s no talks about [him fighting in the UFC] at all.”
He elaborated on Usman`s current situation, saying PFL is “taking really, really good care of him.” Mendez added that while contracts eventually expire, and a fighter might go “Whoever bids the highest” if they wish, Usman currently has “an obligation with PFL, and they’re taking great care of him.”
Usman himself has indicated in previous interviews that he intends to join the UFC in the future, but only after his cousin, Islam Makhachev, has retired from the sport.
Whether the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov will eventually compete in the UFC remains to be seen.
Percy Harlow