Coach Javier Mendez thinks one of his hunters is second for UFC champion Islam Makhachev.
The legendary MMA coach has accompanied his honest share of world champions, such as the 29-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold and Makhachev, who could possibly make the rest by becoming a two-division champion at Welterweight.
Earlier this week Makhachev gave birth to his lightweight title with his sights on the new champion Jack della Maddalena. With Makhachev Moving, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will collide for the empty title on UFC 317.
Former champion Oliveira is 13-2 in his last 15 fights with one of his losses for Makhachev. His opponent, Topuria, tries to improve until 17-0 as a professional and become a two-division champion. Topuria fought only once at lightweight when he eliminated Jai Herbert after he almost got himself.
While a new champion is crowned on UFC 317, the coach of Makhoeven believes that there is still a lightweight over Topuria and Oliveira in skill: Usman Nurmagomedov.
Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images
Javier Mendez says that Usman Nurmagomedov is the world's best lightweight behind Islam Makhachev
The 27-year-old Usman is the younger brother of the recent UFC title Challenger Umar Nurmagomedov and cousin of unbeaten UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020. Nurmagomedov follows the family tradition with a perfect 19-0 record.
“I think he is the second best lightweight in the world,” said Mendez about 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 Paul Hughes in Ireland in one of the greatest fights in the PFL history in January.
Nurmagomedov was 8-0 (1 NC) about PFL and Bellator.
Why is usman Nurmagomedov not in the UFC?
Despite his highly promoted skills, Nurmagomedov still has to fight in the UFC Octagon, because he is currently signed with the PFL and does not seem to come soon.
'He is with PFL and there is no conversations about it [Nurmagomedov fighting in the UFC] Not at all, “said Mendez.
“I mean, they really take, really good for him. Do you know?
“But at the end of the day, when the contracts are up, the contracts are up,” Mendez continued.
“The one who offers the highest is and then the hunter wants to go, that's where the hunter is going. But at the moment he has an obligation with PFL and they take good care of him.”
Usman Nurmagomedov has stated in earlier interviews that he intends to become a member of the UFC in the somewhat near future, but only once is Islam Makhachev retired.
Time will learn whether we will see the unbeaten USman Nurmagomedov in the UFC.