Usman Nurmagomedov is at the top of the newly created PFL official pound-for-pound rankings and cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov believes he has the skills to beat the elite of the lightweight division.
The former Bellator titleholder puts his PFL belt on the line for the first time Saturday, taking on 2025 tournament winner Alfie Davis in the main event of PFL Dubai. In a recent interview with MMA Team Gorilla Fighting, Khabib said the undefeated Usman (20-0, 1 NC) can already be compared to two of the UFC’s best 155-pounders, champion Ilia Topuria and top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
“I have my opinion on this, but it’s not right to talk about the UFC, being a PFL fighter,” Khabib said, Russian translation via Team Gorilla. “In one year, Usman has grown a lot. I’m fighting with him myself, I’m working personally. And from the outside, he’s at least on the same level as them. A year ago I would have said we still have to wait, but now he’s already at that level. Time will show.”
Usman fought and won twice in PFL in 2025, both against Paul Hughes. Before that, he beat Alexander Shabliy in his final appearance under the Bellator banner.
“The Axe Man” Davis, his next challenger, holds a professional MMA record of 20-5-1, losing only once inside the PFL cage and going 8-1-1 in Bellator. The 33-year-old Englishman had a perfect year in 2025 with a trio of wins over Gadzhi Rabadanov, Brent Primus, and Clay Collard.
“It’s a very competitive fight,’ Khabib Nurmagomedov said. “Usman’s opponent is very uncomfortable in style. We know what to expect, but the opponent is fast and has very rare punches in MMA. If you work carefully, without emotion, Usman should win with experience and skill.”
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