Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Cousin Becomes Laughing Stock After Wild Claim About Ilia Topuria’s Resume

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov holds himself in higher regard than UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Cousin Becomes Laughing Stock After Wild Claim About Ilia Topuria’s Resume

Usman Nurmagomedov diminishes Ilia Topuria's record (via Playoffs, MMA Fighting)

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There is no doubt that lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has turned the tide of the UFC ever since his debut in 2020. His undefeated winning streak and explosive knockout power have given him wins over former champions and warriors. However, PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov had some interesting thoughts while comparing himself to the UFC lightweight kingpin.

Nurmagomedov has carved his path in the now-dissolved promotion Bellator, dominating opponents with clinical precision. His unbeaten record and finishing ability have made him one of the most talked-about names outside the UFC, fueling speculation about cross-promotional comparisons. However, he believed that Topuria had not done as much as he had in the sport of MMA.

The PFL lightweight champion is the cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and has been training under his team since the beginning of his career. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, the Dagestani champion discussed a variety of topics, including his upcoming rematch and training under the ‘Eagle’. He criticized the Georgian-Spanish champion’s resume when asked about the No. 1 lightweight.

Come on, brother Ilia Topuria. How he can be number one lightweight? He did only one fight; I have 19 fights in lightweight. I beat former champions, I beat champions. I think my resume is better than him. How many fights does he have? 14? I have 14 finishes in my career.

Usman Nurmagomedov via MMA Fighting

‘El Matador’ earned his first championship belt at featherweight after putting on a dominant performance against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in 2024. He moved up to the 155-pound division after becoming the first person to knock out Max Holloway in his first title defence at UFC 308. Topuria captured the vacant UFC lightweight title in June 2025 after knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

Nurmagomedov recently defended his lightweight belt in a hard-fought, controversial victory against Irish fighter Paul Hughes. Before this bout, he had already stacked up numerous finishes in Bellator and established himself as the face of PFL’s lightweight division. Against Hughes, however, he was pushed to the brink in a five-round war that saw him forced to battle through relentless pressure from the Irishman.

The comparison between Nurmagomedov and Ilia Topuria highlights the constant tug-of-war between promotional dominance and individual accolades. Ilia Topuria competes on the sport’s biggest stage and holds championship gold, boasting his undefeated record. In contrast, Nurmagomedov’s consistency and finishing rate make a compelling case for his place among the top lightweights worldwide.

Fans react to Usman Nurmagomedov’s claims of Ilia Topuria’s record.

Usman Nurmagomedov’s recent comments comparing his resume to that of UFC champion Ilia Topuria have sparked a heated discussion across the MMA community. The undefeated PFL lightweight champion claimed that, while Topuria has only 14 professional fights, he himself has already achieved 14 career finishes, suggesting his body of work is more impressive.

Ilia Topuria Usman Nurmagomedov
Ilia Topuria Usman Nurmagomedov (via Cageside Press, MMA Mania)

Fans have been split in their reaction to Nurmagomedov’s remarks about having a better resume than Ilia Topuria. A large portion of fans are skeptical of Usman’s claims, pointing to the level of competition in Bellator/PFL compared to the UFC.

Some fans take a more balanced approach, acknowledging that both fighters are elite in their respective divisions but emphasizing that comparisons across promotions can be tricky. They note that Nurmagomedov has the talent to compete with anyone, but until he proves himself against UFC-level opposition, his resume will always be subject to scrutiny.

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