Khabib: Usman Nurmagomedov wouldn't have made UFC at 21

Khabib Nurmagomedov credits the Professional Fighters League for turning his cousin Usman into the top free agent outside the UFC.

The retired lightweight champion said Usman, now 21-0 with one no-contest, would not have landed a UFC roster spot when he first signed with Bellator in 2021 at age 21. Speaking on the Smol Talk podcast, Khabib praised the PFL for providing a platform where his cousin could develop gradually rather than being thrown into the deep end.

PFL gave Usman foundation to become elite lightweight

"Without the PFL, who would have known Usman? At 21, he wouldn't have made it to the UFC," Khabib said, per Sherdog. "They gave him a base, the roots, the opportunity to grow. The PFL made him a star." The Hall of Famer acknowledged that family ties boosted Usman's profile but insisted his cousin earned his reputation as an elite fighter through performances under the PFL banner. Khabib called Usman the most wanted free agent among the top ten fighters outside the UFC.

Usman's contract expires after he defends the lightweight title against Archie Colgan on July 31 at UBS Arena in Long Island. A UFC move has been rumored, but Khabib declined to discuss his cousin's next step out of respect for the promotion. Usman joined Bellator with an 11-0 record and has since added ten wins to his ledger, while his brother Umar competes at bantamweight in the UFC.

The PFL's middleweight title fight headlines Austin on Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Khabib declares Usman Nurmagomedov wouldn’t have reached the UFC at 21