Usman Nurmagomedov has reached the top spot in the official pound for pound rankings of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). His cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, believes this ranking fits his current form and says Usman can now be compared to leading lightweights such as Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan.
Usman Nurmagomedov owns an unbeaten professional record of 20 wins and one no contest. He will defend his PFL lightweight title for the first time this Saturday in Dubai. His opponent will be Alfie Davis, who won the 2025 PFL lightweight tournament.
Khabib Nurmagomedov on Usman’s Progress
In a recent interview with MMA Team Gorilla Fighting, Khabib Nurmagomedov spoke about how much Usman Nurmagomedov has improved. Because they train together, he says he sees these changes up close.
Khabib said, “I have my opinion on this, but it’s not right to talk about the UFC, being a PFL fighter.” He added, “In one year, Usman has grown a lot. I’m fighting with him myself, I’m working personally. And from the outside, he’s at least on the same level as them. A year ago I would have said we still have to wait, but now he’s already at that level. Time will show.”
Before joining PFL, Usman Nurmagomedov competed in Bellator and ended his run there with a victory over Alexander Shabliy. In 2025, he fought twice in PFL and won both bouts against Paul Hughes.
These results helped build his place in the league and led to his rise in the PFL rankings.
Alfie Davis and His 2025 Run
Alfie Davis enters the title fight with a professional record of 20 wins, five losses, and one draw. He has only been beaten once in PFL competition. During his time in Bellator, he recorded eight wins, one loss, and one draw.
In 2025, the 33-year-old from England earned three victories. He defeated Gadzhi Rabadanov, Brent Primus, and Clay Collard, which secured him the tournament title and this championship opportunity.
Khabib Nurmagomedov on the Title Fight
Khabib Nurmagomedov expects a tough contest and described Davis as a difficult opponent to prepare for.
He said, “It’s a very competitive fight. Usman’s opponent is very uncomfortable in style. We know what to expect, but the opponent is fast and has very rare punches in MMA. If you work carefully, without emotion, Usman should win with experience and skill.”
The main event will show whether he can continue his unbeaten run and confirm the confidence Khabib Nurmagomedov has placed in his development.
