Usman Nurmagomedov has positioned Khabib Nurmagomedov on the prime of the room when the household’s elite coaching group will get collectively. The unbeaten PFL light-weight champion says the Nurmagomedov identify has already secured its place amongst fight sports activities’ main households, whereas Khabib stays the person to beat in sparring.
Forward of PFL New York, Usman Nurmagomedov Says Khabib Nonetheless Units the Customary
Talking throughout PFL New York media week, Usman was requested who comes out on prime among the many fighters round him, a gaggle that features former UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev and UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov. His reply was quick: “Khabib.”
It’s a sturdy declare given the extent of expertise in that circle. Khabib retired from MMA in 2020 with a 29-0 file, having held and defended the UFC light-weight title earlier than stepping away from competitors. Usman, Khabib’s cousin, stated the household’s legacy is already full due to what Khabib achieved, with the present technology persevering with so as to add wins to it.
Usman went additional when discussing the household identify, calling it “probably the most highly effective” and best champion identify in fight sports activities historical past from his perspective. That view is rooted in additional than Khabib’s UFC run, because the group now options champions and contenders throughout main promotions. Usman, Umar and Khabib personal a mixed 70-1 file with one no contest, in accordance with the figures cited throughout struggle week.
The feedback arrive earlier than one among Usman’s hardest assessments on paper. He defends the PFL light-weight title towards undefeated Archie “King” Colgan in Friday’s PFL New York essential occasion at UBS Area in Elmont, New York.
Usman enters at 21-0 with one no contest. His most up-to-date outing got here in February, when he submitted Alfie Davis with an arm-triangle choke within the third spherical of his first PFL title protection. Earlier than that, he gained consecutive selections over Paul Hughes and defeated Alexander Shabliy for the Bellator light-weight title.
Colgan brings a 13-0 file and credentials that make this a becoming title struggle. The American was a Huge 12 wrestling champion on the College of Wyoming, twice certified for the NCAA match, and picked up 112 collegiate victories. He earned the championship alternative after a unanimous-decision win over Jay-Jay Wilson final October.
Usman has questioned whether or not Colgan has the five-round expertise wanted for a championship essential occasion, saying the challenger might have extra fights to check himself at that stage. Nonetheless, the matchup provides a transparent wrestling storyline: an unbeaten Division I standout making an attempt to take down a champion raised within the Nurmagomedov system.
