According to renowned MMA coach Javier Mendez, the fighter he considers the world`s second-best lightweight is not currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mendez, who has trained multiple world champions including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, and current UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev, shared his view on Tim Welch`s Red Hawk Recap.
Makhachev recently vacated his lightweight title, with speculation pointing towards a potential move to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. This development has paved the way for Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira to face off for the vacant UFC lightweight championship at UFC 317.
While Oliveira is a former champion with a strong 13-2 record in his last 15 bouts (one loss being to Makhachev), and the undefeated Topuria looks to maintain his perfect 17-0 record and potentially become a two-division champion, Mendez believes another fighter surpasses them in skill in the lightweight ranks: Usman Nurmagomedov.
Javier Mendez Ranks Usman Nurmagomedov Second Only to Islam Makhachev in Lightweight Division
Usman Nurmagomedov, the 27-year-old cousin of the retired undefeated UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and younger brother of UFC contender Umar Nurmagomedov, boasts an unblemished professional record of 19-0, continuing the family`s dominant wrestling-based style.
“I think he`s the second-best lightweight in the world,” Mendez stated regarding Usman Nurmagomedov on the podcast.
Usman was the Bellator lightweight champion, successfully defending his title against notable opponents like former UFC champion Benson Henderson, Alexander Shabliy, and Ireland`s Paul Hughes in a highly-regarded PFL contest in January. Across his appearances in PFL and Bellator, his record stands at 8-0 with one No Contest.
Why Usman Nurmagomedov Isn`t Fighting in the UFC
Despite his impressive skills and undefeated status, Usman Nurmagomedov has not yet competed in the UFC Octagon. He is currently under contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and Mendez indicated that there are no immediate plans for him to join the UFC roster.
“He`s with PFL and there`s no talks about it at all,” Mendez confirmed, adding that PFL is providing “really, really good care of him.”
Mendez acknowledged the reality of fighter contracts, noting, “at the end of the day, when the contracts are up, the contracts are up… Whoever bids the highest… that`s where the fighter`s gonna go.” However, he reiterated, “at the present time, he`s got an obligation with PFL, and they`re taking great care of him.”
Usman Nurmagomedov himself has previously expressed interest in eventually moving to the UFC, though he has stated a preference for doing so only after Islam Makhachev has retired. Whether the undefeated prospect will eventually make his way to the UFC remains a question for the future.
