Javier Mendez, coach to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, contends that in his estimation, the second-ranked fighter in the world`s lightweight division does not currently compete under the UFC banner.
Mendez is a highly regarded figure in the MMA world, having trained numerous world champions throughout his career. His notable former and current fighters include the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0), Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, and Islam Makhachev, who is reportedly eyeing a move to the welterweight division with the aim of becoming a two-division champion by challenging current titleholder Jack Della Maddalena.
Makhachev recently relinquished his lightweight title, paving the way for Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira to compete for the vacant championship at UFC 317. Oliveira, a former champion himself, boasts an impressive 13-2 record in his last fifteen bouts, with one of those losses coming against Makhachev. His opponent, Topuria, holds a perfect 16-0 professional record and seeks to maintain his unbeaten streak and claim a second divisional title. Topuria has only fought once in the lightweight division in the UFC, securing a knockout victory over Jai Herbert, though he was briefly hurt during that contest.
While the fight at UFC 317 will determine the next UFC lightweight champion, Makhachev`s coach believes there is another lightweight fighter whose skill level surpasses both Topuria and Oliveira: Usman Nurmagomedov.
Javier Mendez Identifies Usman Nurmagomedov as Top Contender
Usman Nurmagomedov, aged 27, is the younger sibling of current UFC fighter Umar Nurmagomedov and a cousin of the legendary, undefeated former UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020. Continuing his family`s remarkable success in combat sports, Usman holds a pristine professional record of 19 wins and no losses.
“I think he’s the second-best lightweight in the world,” Mendez stated about Usman Nurmagomedov during an appearance on Tim Welch`s Red Hawk Recap podcast.
Usman Nurmagomedov previously held the lightweight championship in Bellator MMA and defended his title successfully against notable opponents such as former UFC champion Benson Henderson, Alexander Shabliy, and Ireland`s Paul Hughes in a highly anticipated January bout under the PFL promotion. His combined professional record across PFL and Bellator stands at 8-0 with 1 no-contest.
The Reason Usman Nurmagomedov Isn`t in the UFC
Despite the significant praise for his talent, Usman Nurmagomedov has not yet made an appearance in the UFC Octagon. He is currently under contract with the PFL, and Mendez indicated that there are no ongoing discussions regarding his potential move to the UFC roster in the immediate future.
Mendez commented on the situation, saying, “He`s with PFL and there`s no talks about [Nurmagomedov fighting in the UFC] at all. I mean, they’re taking really, really good care of him, you know?”
“But at the end of the day, when the contracts are up, the contracts are up,” Mendez elaborated. “Whoever bids the highest is and then the fighter wants to go, that’s where the fighter’s gonna go. But at the present time, he’s got an obligation with PFL, and they’re taking great care of him.”
For his part, Usman Nurmagomedov has stated in previous interviews his long-term aspiration to join the UFC. However, he has also indicated that he intends to do so only after his cousin, Islam Makhachev, has retired from active competition.
Only time will reveal if the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov will eventually compete under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley