Khabib claims Usman Nurmagomedov wouldn’t have reached the UFC at 21

Khabib Nurmagomedov credits the Professional Fighters League with building his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov into one of the most coveted free agents in combat sports. Usman, a currently undefeated PFL lightweight champion at 21–0 (1 NC), signed with Bellator in 2021 as an 11–0 prospect and has since developed into an elite fighter under the PFL banner—which later acquired Bellator. Speaking on the "Smol Talk" podcast, Khabib emphasized that without the PFL's platform, Usman would not have made the leap to the UFC roster at such a young age. "Without the PFL, who would have known Usman? At 21, he wouldn't have made it to the UFC," Khabib said. "They gave him a base, the roots, the opportunity to grow. The PFL made him a star." While Khabib acknowledged that his family connection aided Usman's public profile, he stressed that Usman is an elite fighter in his own right who made the most of his early career under the PFL banner. "Of course, being my cousin helped, but first and foremost, Usman himself is an elite world-class fighter," Khabib added. "Among the Top 10 fighters outside the UFC, Usman is No. 1 – the 'most wanted' free agent, as people say." Usman's PFL contract is set to expire following his lightweight title defense against Archie Colgan on July 31 at UBS Arena in Long Island, with a UFC move rumored but not yet confirmed. Khabib refrained from discussing Usman's future, citing respect for the PFL. Notably, Usman's brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, is already competing in the UFC as a top-ranked bantamweight.