Khabib Nurmagomedov's Team Expands as Cousin Usman Nears UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov's fighting legacy is actively expanding through his family and team, with his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov now on the verge of a major UFC signing. The undefeated lightweight champion's potential move headlines a busy period for the Nurmagomedov camp, which also sees the long-awaited return of Khabib's other cousin, Abubakar, to active competition.

Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion and a core member of Khabib's team, has put a firm number on the speculation. He says there is a 90 percent chance his teammate Usman signs with the UFC. Makhachev called it the perfect move for the 28-year-old, arguing he needs to prove he's the best in the world against top-tier competition. Usman became a free agent in July after his PFL contract expired, leaving as their undefeated lightweight champion with a 22-0 professional record. The PFL's CEO, however, has stated the UFC cannot legally make a formal offer during an exclusive 90-day negotiation window, which began in July.

Even before a contract is signed, potential superfights are being discussed. Usman's team has identified former two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria as a desired opponent for his potential debut. Fellow elite fighter Arman Tsarukyan believes Usman could win that matchup. Tsarukyan argued that while Topuria may have the edge in pure striking, Usman possesses a better overall stand-up game and superior wrestling. "I think Usman can win it because of his wrestling and his ability to mix things up," Tsarukyan said. Topuria is coming off a TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, where he suffered orbital fractures.

Khabib's first cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, is set to end a three-year hiatus from MMA. The 36-year-old will fight David Martinez at PFL Dubai on November 14. This marks his first bout since being released by the UFC in February 2024, where he had a 2-2 record. Before his MMA return, Abubakar is scheduled for a wrestling match in Turkey on September 20. He is best known to fans for his involvement in the post-fight brawl following Khabib's win over Conor McGregor in 2018, which resulted in a one-year suspension.

The pressure and expectation on fighters carrying the Nurmagomedov name is immense. Former champion Daniel Cormier recently credited Umar Nurmagomedov, another cousin and a rising UFC bantamweight, for trying to live up to the standard set by Khabib. This highlights the continuous scrutiny and high bar set by Khabib's retired but undefeated legacy, a shadow that both motivates and challenges the new generation of fighters from his region.

• Usman Nurmagomedov is a 22-0 free agent with a 90% likelihood of joining the UFC, per Islam Makhachev.
• Abubakar Nurmagomedov returns to MMA at PFL Dubai on November 14 after a three-year absence.
• The Nurmagomedov team is targeting a high-profile fight with former champion Ilia Topuria for Usman's potential debut.