PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov has lengthy deferred Islam Makhachev as the most effective light-weight within the sport, though he all the time anticipated to say that high spot as soon as his pal and teammate both retired or moved onto a brand new weight class.
That’s lastly taking place with Makhachev relinquishing his UFC title at 155 kilos and shifting to welterweight to conflict with champion Jack Della Maddalena in his subsequent outing. For now, Nurmagomedov remains to be touting Makhachev as the most effective light-weight within the sport, as a result of he hasn’t truly hit the dimensions as a welterweight but however that point is quickly approaching.
“I don’t need to put myself [at top] in light-weight as a result of Islam remains to be in light-weight,” Nurmagomedov instructed MMA Combating. “He’s not shifting. After he [moves], then we’ll see.”
As quickly as Makhachev made the choice to maneuver to welterweight, the UFC wasted no time crowning a brand new light-weight champion with Ilia Topuria knocking out Charles Oliveira in June to say the vacant title.
As a former featherweight champion, Topuria has now captured belts throughout two divisions however Nurmagomedov isn’t so fast to crown him as the most effective in his division.
For all of the hype surrounding Topuria proper now, Nurmagomedov believes “El Matador” nonetheless has some work to do earlier than he can really stake a declare to that No. 1 spot, particularly whereas he’s nonetheless taking good care of enterprise in PFL.
“Come on, Ilia Topuria, how he might be light-weight No. 1 on the earth? He can’t be,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “He did just one battle. I’ve 19 fights in light-weight [division]. I beat former champions. I beat champions. I feel my resume is best than him. What number of fights does he have? 14? I’ve 14 finishes in my profession.”
Previously, Nurmagomedov has teased his curiosity in ultimately testing himself within the UFC so maybe he’ll truly get the prospect to face Topuria at some point sooner or later.
For now, Nurmagomedov’s solely focus is defending his personal title with a rematch booked in opposition to Paul Hughes in October after their first battle ended with him claiming a majority determination win.
Nurmagomedov acknowledges that he wasn’t at his greatest going into the Hughes battle so he plans on a way more dominant showcase this time round after which perhaps he’ll revisit that dialog about the place he sits within the hierarchy of the light-weight division.
“After I end this man, I’ll name myself the most effective light-weight,” Nurmagomedov mentioned.
So far as Makhachev shifting to welterweight, Nurmagomedov has each confidence that his teammate goes to adapt and evolve to compete in an even bigger division.
Whereas he provides reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena loads of credit score was very powerful matchup for anybody on the earth, Nurmagomedov really believes that Makhachev is only a completely different type of monster.
“I feel he’s going to be champion in welterweight,” Nurmagomedov mentioned about Makhachev. “As a result of he has every little thing. His expertise, I feel is best than Maddalena as a result of Maddalena has solely boxing. However Islam, if he takes you down, he’s going to carry you the entire spherical whereas Belal [Muhammad] has an issue with that. He let Maddalena up. He let him up, he tried once more.
“When Islam holds you, it’s completed. We’ll see. After all, it’s not going to be simple for Islam. As a result of this can be a completely different weight however mentally, Islam is a really sturdy man.”
After all, Nurmagomedov is aware of he’ll be working alongside Makhachev as they each prepare for upcoming title fights and he by no means shies away from heaping reward on his teammate.
“He’s a pound-for-pound champion, light-weight champion and he beat loads of information in light-weight,” Nurmagomedov mentioned about Makhachev. “Now he’s going to go for a second belt and shortly we’re going to see, Inshallah.”
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