Coach Javier Mendez thinks one of his fighters is runner-up to UFC champ Islam Makhachev.
The legendary MMA coach has mentored his fair share of world champions such as the 29-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, Daniel Cormier, and Makhachev, who could potentially one-up the rest by becoming a two-division champion at welterweight.
Makhachev relinquished his lightweight title earlier this week with his sights set on new champ Jack Della Maddalena. With Makhachev moving out, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are set to collide for the vacant title at UFC 317.
Former champion Oliveira is 13-2 in his last 15 fights with one of his losses to Makhachev. His opponent, Topuria, looks to improve to 17-0 as a pro and become a two-division champion in the process. Topuria has only fought once at lightweight when he knocked out Jai Herbert after nearly getting KO’ed himself.
While a new champion will be crowned at UFC 317, Makhachev’s coach believes there’s another lightweight above Topuria and Oliveira in skill: Usman Nurmagomedov.
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Javier Mendez says Usman Nurmagomedov is world’s best lightweight behind Islam Makhachev
The 27-year-old Usman is the younger brother of recent UFC title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov and cousin of undefeated UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020. Nurmagomedov follows the family tradition with a perfect 19-0 record.
“I think he’s the second-best lightweight in the world,” Mendez said of Usman Nurmagomedov on Tim Welch’s Red Hawk Recap.
Nurmagomedov was the Bellator lightweight champion and defended his title against former UFC champion Benson Henderson, Alexander Shabliy and Ireland’s Paul Hughes in one of the greatest fights in PFL history back in January.
Nurmagomedov went 8-0 (1 NC) across PFL and Bellator.
Why is Usman Nurmagomedov not in the UFC?
Despite his highly-touted skills, Nurmagomedov has yet to fight in the UFC Octagon as he is currently signed to the PFL and doesn’t look to be joining the roster anytime soon.
“He’s with PFL and there’s no talks about [Nurmagomedov fighting in the UFC] at all,” Mendez said.
“I mean, they’re taking really, really good care of him. You know?
“But at the end of the day, when the contracts are up, the contracts are up,” Mendez continued.
“Whoever bids the highest is and then the fighter wants to go, that’s where the fighter’s gonna go. But at the present time, he’s got an obligation with PFL, and they’re taking great care of him.”
Usman Nurmagomedov has stated in past interviews that he plans on joining the UFC in the somewhat near future, but only once Islam Makhachev has retired.
Time will tell if we’ll see the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov in the UFC.