Usman Nurmagomedov’s team continues to predict big things for him in the UFC.
The Dagestani is currently the PFL lightweight champion, having defeated Paul Hughes to win the title and subsequently defended it against Alfie Davis this past February.
Following his victory over the Englishman, Nurmagomedov has one PFL fight remaining on his current deal and could soon become the hottest free agent in the sport.
That means a long-discussed UFC move might be on the cards for the 21-0 star, and coach Javier Mendez does not see anyone being able to stop him inside the Octagon.
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Coach Javier Mendez would back Usman Nurmagomedov to beat ‘every single’ UFC lightweight
Nurmagomedov will return at PFL New York next Friday, as he puts the lightweight belt on the line for a second time against Archie Colgan.
As it stands, the Russian star will be a free agent on August 1, as PFL CEO John Martin has admitted the promotion won’t stand in his way if he wishes to pursue a career in the UFC.
With teammate Islam Makhachev no longer occupying the 155-pound throne on MMA’s biggest stage, the door is now open for Usman to follow in his and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s footsteps.
And their coach, Mendez, does not expect any of the current crop of UFC lightweights to be able to stop him.
“I think (Nurmagomedov) matches up well with every one of (the top UFC lightweights). Every single one of them, and in my opinion, he beats them all,” Mendez told Heavy Sports.
“It’s my opinion. He beats them all. I don’t see him not beating any of them. The only one I didn’t see him beating is his sparring partner (Makhachev), the one that moved up to welterweight.
“But he beats everybody else,” he added.
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Uncertainty still surrounds Nurmagomedov’s future, as no decision about a PFL stay or UFC venture has been announced as of yet.
The Dagestani has long expressed happiness with his current employer, where he reportedly sits alongside as Dakota Ditcheva as the highest-paid athlete on $1 million per fight.
Makhachev thinks UFC may miss out on Nurmagomedov because of a historical unwillingness to pay new signings big money.
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