PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after retaining his belt with a first-round knockout over Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month. The 28-year-old went off on the idea that you’re only considered a high-level fighter if you’re in the UFC.
The “High Level” Narrative Is a Myth, Apparently
Nurmagomedov has run through PFL’s top lightweights, even beating Paul Hughes twice. He told Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA) he doesn’t buy the narrative about the UFC being the only place for top talent. He picked apart their current rankings and how these matchups play out. He said, “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.” He dropped the receipts!
Look at Benoit Saint Denis, right? The guy was 4-0, then lost to Dustin Poirier, then to Renato Moicano. He pulled off three wins, only to lose in the first round within 30 seconds to Pimblett, but somehow, he’s still in the top five. And what about Pimblett? Nurmagomedov pointed out he lost to a 37-year-old veteran, yet he’s suddenly the No. 1 or No. 2 contender.
Then there’s Ilia Topuria, who had this 17-0 record and was hyping himself up as the greatest, only to lose and quit on the stool. Said he wasn’t going to continue! Arman Tsarukyan, another name Nurmagomedov threw out, lost to Mateusz Gamrot and Islam Makhachev. He’s chilling, fighting once a year, still calling himself the best in the world. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov defended his title four times while Tsarukyan fought only twice. He knows the “UFC PR machine is very powerful” and the “brand is very solid,” but he’s not convinced all their fights are “such great fights.”
Justin Gaethje holds the lightweight title after upsetting Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje is waiting for his first defense. Arman Tsarukyan is set to meet Mauricio Ruffy in the UFC 331 co-main event on September 19. That fight is probably going to be a No. 1 contender bout. Usman is either re-signing with PFL or looking to ink a deal with the UFC. If he lands there, it’s gonna be fireworks, especially with these takes already out in the wild. The lightweight division is about to get a whole lot more interesting!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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