Aug. 28, 2026, 10:30 a.m. ET
PFL light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov had some alternative phrases for the UFC’s top-ranked lightweights.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after retaining his belt with a first-round knockout out Archie Colgan at PFL New York final month. The 28-year-old is seeking to both re-sign with the PFL or ink a take care of the UFC.
Nurmagomedov has overwhelmed all of PFL’s prime lightweights, together with Paul Hughes twice. He disagrees with the notion that the best fighters are solely within the UFC, and picked aside the present rankings and matchups which have taken place within the octagon.
“There’s a narrative that if you don’t compete in the UFC, you’re not on that high level, and I don’t agree with that,” Nurmagomedov advised Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA). “Just have a look at the fellows who’re within the UFC prime 10. They simply hold combating one another and keep their top-10 spots. Benoit Saint Denis, he was 4-0 then misplaced to Dustin Poirier, then he misplaced to (Renato) Moicano, and received thrice after that, after which misplaced within the first spherical inside 30 seconds (vs. Pimblett), but he is nonetheless within the prime 5, oddly sufficient.
“Pimblett misplaced to a 37-year-old veteran, but he is the No. 1 contender now, proper? Or No. 2. 17-0 Topuria, who had been praising himself as the best, he misplaced, stop on the stool, saying he wasn’t going to proceed. Arman (Tsarukyan), he misplaced to (Mateusz) Gamrot, he misplaced to Islam (Makhachef). He is simply ready it out, combating every year and saying he is the best fighter on this planet. While he fought twice, I defended my title 4 occasions. The UFC PR machine may be very highly effective. The model may be very strong, but I would not say all of them put on such nice fights.”
Justin Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria to claim the lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250. As he awaits his first title protection, top-ranked Arman Tsarukyan meets Mauricio Ruffy within the UFC 331 co-main occasion on Sept. 19 in what is probably going a No. 1 contender bout.