Usman Nurmagomedov has reached a point in his career where the next logical step is clear: the UFC lightweight division.
After years of consistent dominance in the PFL lightweight bracket, he has proven himself levels above the competition.
With an undefeated record, elite skills, and the endorsement of one of the greatest fighters ever, the time for Usman to move to the UFC is right now.
In this article, we break down why Usman Nurmagomedov’s arrival in the UFC is not just expected, it’s necessary.
Usman Nurmagomedov has built one of the cleanest resumes in modern MMA.
A perfect 21–0 record speaks for itself, but the way he wins is what truly separates him. He doesn’t scrape by with close decisions; he dominates.
Throughout the last few years in the PFL, Usman has defeated talented and respected fighters such as:
Each matchup has highlighted his superior timing, grappling, precision striking, and fight IQ. His ability to dictate the pace of every fight mirrors the same trademark style associated with the Dagestani school of MMA.
Right now, there is no lightweight in PFL who can genuinely test him. His dominance has reached a point where every fight feels like a one-sided showcase of skill.
For a fighter of his caliber, staying in the same division without true challenges does not push growth, and Usman is built for bigger stages.
Usman isn’t just another promising prospect; he comes from a lineage of champions.
He has trained alongside some of the most accomplished athletes in MMA history, including his cousin, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Khabib has publicly stated that Usman is ready for the UFC, comparing his skill level to top contenders inside the UFC lightweight division.
When a fighter with Khabib’s experience and credibility makes such a claim, the MMA world pays attention.
His endorsement isn’t simply family loyalty, it’s a technical assessment from someone who has shared the mats with Usman since childhood.
One of the key reasons fans believe Usman belongs in the UFC is how well his abilities align with current UFC contenders like:
1. High-Level Grappling
Usman’s grappling resembles the relentless, chain-wrestling style that made Khabib nearly impossible to beat. Once Usman gets his hands on an opponent, escapes are rare.
2. Clean, Technical Striking
Unlike some Dagestani fighters who started as pure grapplers, Usman’s stand-up is polished. His kicking game, distance control, and counterattacks would fit perfectly against the striking-heavy names in the UFC.
3. Championship Composure
Even under pressure, Usman looks calm, methodical, and calculated. This is the same quality that allowed fighters like Arman and Topuria to rise quickly through the rankings.
Usman isn’t just “UFC-ready” on paper; he is ready based on skill, mindset, and proven consistency.
The lightweight division is stacked with names, but something is missing: there’s no top contender representing Team Khabib’s school.
After Khabib and Islam Makhachev took the MMA world by storm, fans naturally expected the next wave of Dagestani talent to continue the legacy.
Yet, in the lightweight division, that presence is missing.
Usman Nurmagomedov can change that.
Imagine potential matchups such as:
These fights are not just competitive they would be massive for global MMA.
Usman has already achieved everything there is to achieve in PFL. The UFC is where legacy is built, where moments become history, and where the greatest lightweight talents test each other to reach their peak.
Khabib says he’s ready. Fans say he’s ready. His record says he’s ready.
All signs point to Usman Nurmagomedov entering the UFC lightweight divisio and he might be the next big superstar in the making.
Usman Nurmagomedov transitioning into the UFC is more than a wishlist; it feels inevitable.
With unmatched dominance in PFL, elite-level training, and clear compatibility with fighters at the top of the UFC rankings, the time is perfect for him to join the world’s biggest MMA promotion.
If he makes that move, the lightweight division will get a fresh, dangerous contender, and fans worldwide will witness one of the most exciting arrivals in recent years.
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