Khabib Nurmagomedov evidently does not see UFC champion Ilia Topuria as the world’s best lightweight.
Topuria has cemented himself as one of the biggest stars in MMA courtesy of a rapid rise to two-division glory on the sport’s biggest stage.
After championship success at featherweight, Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 this past June to lay claim to the vacant belt at 155 pounds.
With that, ‘El Matador’ has succeeded the great Islam Makhachev on the lightweight throne. But that fact is not enough to result in Nurmagomedov crowning the Spaniard as the division’s unrivaled king.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov says his cousin Umar is better than Ilia Topuria
When it comes to the top lightweights competing in MMA, many often point to one of the stars that a UFC rival boasts under its banner.
Usman Nurmagomedov established himself as a leading name in the weight class during a title reign in the now-defunct Bellator organization, and he’s now displaying his talents in the PFL cage.
During a recent interview posted to the PFL’s social media channel, Usman’s cousin, the legendary Khabib, assessed how his relative stacks up against the man who currently occupies the throne he sat on before retiring with a 29-0 record.
“They have to fight (to know who is the best),” Khabib said of Usman and Topuria. “People can talk, they can say whatever they want.
“It’s my opinion, like, well-rounded fighter, I think Usman is better,” he concluded.
Usman Nurmagomedov claims he has a better resume than Ilia Topuria
Usman evidently agrees with Khabib’s assessment, but he recently went even further by making another bold claim.
While previewing his rematch with Paul Hughes at the upcoming PFL event in October, Nurmagomedov claimed his resume is better than Topuria’s.
“We’ll see (who’s the best lightweight in the world),” Nurmagomedov told MMA Fighting. “I don’t want to put myself (as the best lightweight) because Islam is still in lightweight and he’s not (moved yet). When he moves, let’s see.
“Come on, brother, Ilia Topuria, how can he be the number one lightweight in the world? He cannot be, he has had only one fight, I’ve had 20 fights at lightweight.
“I beat former champions, champions and I think my resume is better than his,” Nurmagomedov continued. “I have 14 finishes in my career. After I finish (Hughes), I will call myself the best lightweight.”