3 months ago
PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov had some choice words for the UFC's top-ranked lightweights.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after retaining his belt with a first-round knockout out Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month. The 28-year-old is looking to either re-sign with the PFL or ink a deal with the UFC.
Nurmagomedov has beaten all of PFL's top lightweights, including Paul Hughes twice. He disagrees with the notion that the best fighters are only in the UFC, and picked apart the current rankings and matchups that have taken place in the octagon.
"There's a narrative that if you don't compete in the UFC, you're not on that high level, and I don't agree with that," Nurmagomedov told Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA). "Just look at the guys who are in the UFC top 10. They just keep fighting each other and maintain their top-10 spots. Benoit Saint Denis, he was 4-0 then lost to Dustin Poirier, then he lost to (Renato) Moicano, and won three times after that, and then lost in the first round within 30 seconds (vs. Pimblett), but he's still in the top five, oddly enough.
"Pimblett lost to a 37-year-old veteran, but he's the No. 1 contender now, right? Or No. 2. 17-0 Topuria, who had been praising himself as the greatest, he lost, quit on the stool, saying he wasn't going to continue. Arman (Tsarukyan), he lost to (Mateusz) Gamrot, he lost to Islam (Makhachef). He is just waiting it out, fighting once a year and saying he's the best fighter in the world. While he fought twice, I defended my **** le four times. The UFC PR machine is very powerful. The brand is very solid, but I wouldn't say they all put on such great fights."
#pimblett #twice
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after retaining his belt with a first-round knockout out Archie Colgan at PFL New York last month. The 28-year-old is looking to either re-sign with the PFL or ink a deal with the UFC.
Nurmagomedov has beaten all of PFL's top lightweights, including Paul Hughes twice. He disagrees with the notion that the best fighters are only in the UFC, and picked apart the current rankings and matchups that have taken place in the octagon.
"There's a narrative that if you don't compete in the UFC, you're not on that high level, and I don't agree with that," Nurmagomedov told Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA). "Just look at the guys who are in the UFC top 10. They just keep fighting each other and maintain their top-10 spots. Benoit Saint Denis, he was 4-0 then lost to Dustin Poirier, then he lost to (Renato) Moicano, and won three times after that, and then lost in the first round within 30 seconds (vs. Pimblett), but he's still in the top five, oddly enough.
"Pimblett lost to a 37-year-old veteran, but he's the No. 1 contender now, right? Or No. 2. 17-0 Topuria, who had been praising himself as the greatest, he lost, quit on the stool, saying he wasn't going to continue. Arman (Tsarukyan), he lost to (Mateusz) Gamrot, he lost to Islam (Makhachef). He is just waiting it out, fighting once a year and saying he's the best fighter in the world. While he fought twice, I defended my **** le four times. The UFC PR machine is very powerful. The brand is very solid, but I wouldn't say they all put on such great fights."
#pimblett #twice
3 months ago
PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov hasn't entered the UFC yet, but he's already talking trash about the quality of opposition he may face when he gets there.
Nurmagomedov fought the last fight on his PFL contract last month, and recently revealed he turned down a $2 million per fight offer from the organization in order to wait out the 90 day exclusive negotiation period and see what other promotions might offer him. Promotions like the UFC, where he could finally get his due as one of the best lightweights in the world.
In an interview with Sport24, Usman pushed back on the idea that the top fighters are all in the UFC.
"They say if you don't fight in the UFC, it's not the same level. I disagree with this," he said. "Just look at the guys in the UFC who sit in the top 10 and they just fight amongst themselves and keep the top ten closed. For example, Benoit Saint Denis. Won 4, lost to Dustin Poirier, lost to 'Money' Moicano, lost 3 more. Lost in 30 seconds. [Michael] Chandler. Top 15. He's there. Lost to [Paddy] Pimblett."
"[Ilia] Topuria, who praised himself endlessly, lost. Quit on the stool. Said 'I don't wanna continue.' Arman [Tsarukyan] lost to [Mateusz] Gamrot, and he lost to Islam [Makhachev]. He sits, waits a year, fights once, and says that he is the best wrestler in the world. While he had two fights, I made four ****** le defenses."
#fight #promotions #best #World
Nurmagomedov fought the last fight on his PFL contract last month, and recently revealed he turned down a $2 million per fight offer from the organization in order to wait out the 90 day exclusive negotiation period and see what other promotions might offer him. Promotions like the UFC, where he could finally get his due as one of the best lightweights in the world.
In an interview with Sport24, Usman pushed back on the idea that the top fighters are all in the UFC.
"They say if you don't fight in the UFC, it's not the same level. I disagree with this," he said. "Just look at the guys in the UFC who sit in the top 10 and they just fight amongst themselves and keep the top ten closed. For example, Benoit Saint Denis. Won 4, lost to Dustin Poirier, lost to 'Money' Moicano, lost 3 more. Lost in 30 seconds. [Michael] Chandler. Top 15. He's there. Lost to [Paddy] Pimblett."
"[Ilia] Topuria, who praised himself endlessly, lost. Quit on the stool. Said 'I don't wanna continue.' Arman [Tsarukyan] lost to [Mateusz] Gamrot, and he lost to Islam [Makhachev]. He sits, waits a year, fights once, and says that he is the best wrestler in the world. While he had two fights, I made four ****** le defenses."
#fight #promotions #best #World
3 months ago
Jalin Turner is not getting paid by the hour because he needed just 39 seconds to lay waste to Kaue Fernandes at UFC 330 on Saturday.
After a brief retirement, Turner has returned to action with a renewed purpose and he showed that he's still one of the top lightweights in the world with his latest performance.
The fight ended after Fernandes threw an ill-advised spinning back fist and Turner quickly countered with a punch of his own followed by an uppercut that blasted the Brazilian and sent him down to the canvas. Turner continued unloading shots until referee Jason Herzog saw enough as Fernandes fell unconscious with the fight being stopped at 39 seconds into the opening round.
Turner has now won two fights in a row — both by knockout — and he's looking to get back into the lightweight top 15 now that he's sticking around.
"I would like to see a number next to my name again," Turner said after his win. "I'd like to see it again."
#turner #fernandes #like #saturday
After a brief retirement, Turner has returned to action with a renewed purpose and he showed that he's still one of the top lightweights in the world with his latest performance.
The fight ended after Fernandes threw an ill-advised spinning back fist and Turner quickly countered with a punch of his own followed by an uppercut that blasted the Brazilian and sent him down to the canvas. Turner continued unloading shots until referee Jason Herzog saw enough as Fernandes fell unconscious with the fight being stopped at 39 seconds into the opening round.
Turner has now won two fights in a row — both by knockout — and he's looking to get back into the lightweight top 15 now that he's sticking around.
"I would like to see a number next to my name again," Turner said after his win. "I'd like to see it again."
#turner #fernandes #like #saturday
3 months ago
Daniel Cormier wants Ali Abdelaziz to pump the brakes on PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov's chances against top UFC lightweights.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan in the first-round of the PFL New York main event earlier this month. If Nurmagomedov does end up signing with the UFC, his manager, Abdelaziz, claimed on the "Pound 4 Pound" podcast that he would have his way with Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway – which Cormier thinks is an absurd statement to make.
"I get it, that's your guy, you're a promoter, but you're speaking about the absolute best guys in the world," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "Now, to have faith and think Usman Nurmagomedov can fight these guys, absolutely. ... I think Usman Nurmagomedov is special. I think Usman Nurmagomedov, if he comes to the UFC, immediately becomes one of the top contenders in the organization. I have seen this young man train. I have seen him work. I know that he has championship-level experience."
While Nurmagomedov got some of that championship-level experience through two tough outings against Paul Hughes, Cormier said the UFC would be a step up in competition.
"As good as the Irish kid is, the UFC guys are better," Cormier said. "So you would imagine that these fights would be ultra competitive, but that's the beauty in having a guy separate himself from the world in a different organization. That's the beauty because while what Ali says is very out there, when he looks at that group of fighters, he would expect that because that's all they've really done. Umar has done very well. Khabib dominated; Islam has dominated.
#cormier #think #pound
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan in the first-round of the PFL New York main event earlier this month. If Nurmagomedov does end up signing with the UFC, his manager, Abdelaziz, claimed on the "Pound 4 Pound" podcast that he would have his way with Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway – which Cormier thinks is an absurd statement to make.
"I get it, that's your guy, you're a promoter, but you're speaking about the absolute best guys in the world," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "Now, to have faith and think Usman Nurmagomedov can fight these guys, absolutely. ... I think Usman Nurmagomedov is special. I think Usman Nurmagomedov, if he comes to the UFC, immediately becomes one of the top contenders in the organization. I have seen this young man train. I have seen him work. I know that he has championship-level experience."
While Nurmagomedov got some of that championship-level experience through two tough outings against Paul Hughes, Cormier said the UFC would be a step up in competition.
"As good as the Irish kid is, the UFC guys are better," Cormier said. "So you would imagine that these fights would be ultra competitive, but that's the beauty in having a guy separate himself from the world in a different organization. That's the beauty because while what Ali says is very out there, when he looks at that group of fighters, he would expect that because that's all they've really done. Umar has done very well. Khabib dominated; Islam has dominated.
#cormier #think #pound
3 months ago
A new lightweight contender has arrived.
Quillan Salkilld (13-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) had to eat a punch or two, but mostly tore right through Mateusz Gamrot (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 284 main event at a newly refurbished Meta APEX in Las Vegas. And now that more fans can take in a show like Saturday's, they got a treat out of the gate.
A Salkilld win by submission over a credentialed wrestler and grappler like Gamrot was one of the least likely predicted outcomes in the headliner. But afterward, Salkilld said his rear-naked choke with 35 seconds left in the first is just the type of performance lightweights can expect – and he has his sights set on the top five.
"I just proved I'm the real f*cking deal now. These top five (lightweights) better (watch out)," Salkilld said on the microphone with Daniel Cormier. "I believe I can get it done within the first minute or the last minute. ... I think I deserve someone who's in the top five or close to it."
Salkilld tried to get a quick start and took the center quickly. In some tight exchanges early, Salkilld landed and forced Gamrot to look for a takedown – not at all unexpected. He got a single-leg briefly, but also appeared to be hurt.
#salkilld #first #lightweights #quillan
Quillan Salkilld (13-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) had to eat a punch or two, but mostly tore right through Mateusz Gamrot (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 284 main event at a newly refurbished Meta APEX in Las Vegas. And now that more fans can take in a show like Saturday's, they got a treat out of the gate.
A Salkilld win by submission over a credentialed wrestler and grappler like Gamrot was one of the least likely predicted outcomes in the headliner. But afterward, Salkilld said his rear-naked choke with 35 seconds left in the first is just the type of performance lightweights can expect – and he has his sights set on the top five.
"I just proved I'm the real f*cking deal now. These top five (lightweights) better (watch out)," Salkilld said on the microphone with Daniel Cormier. "I believe I can get it done within the first minute or the last minute. ... I think I deserve someone who's in the top five or close to it."
Salkilld tried to get a quick start and took the center quickly. In some tight exchanges early, Salkilld landed and forced Gamrot to look for a takedown – not at all unexpected. He got a single-leg briefly, but also appeared to be hurt.
#salkilld #first #lightweights #quillan
3 months ago
The main event for UFC 331 is finally set with Joshua Van defending his flyweight ***** le in a rematch against former champion Alexandre Pantoja, who is now healthy and ready to compete again.
In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round fight between lightweights who are both jockeying for a ***** le shot against current champion Justin Gaethje.
The main event features Pantoja making his return to action after a freak injury ended his dominant ***** le reign in his first fight against Van in 2025. Pantoja fell awkwardly during an exchange and his arm popped, which forced the fight to be stopped in the opening round.
While he recovered, Van took over as UFC flyweight champion and made a successful defense of his ***** le in a potential Fight of the Year candidate against Tatsuro Taira in May. Now Van looks to settle any debates about his championship reign when he faces Pantoja in a rematch now scheduled for September.
In the co-main event, widely considered the top lightweight contender in the UFC, Tsarukyan returns after spending the better part of the past year making a name for himself in RAF where he's been wrestling almost every month. Now he gets back to business in the UFC trying to build on his five-fight win streak, which includes wins over Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker.
#flyweight
In the co-main event, Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy in a five-round fight between lightweights who are both jockeying for a ***** le shot against current champion Justin Gaethje.
The main event features Pantoja making his return to action after a freak injury ended his dominant ***** le reign in his first fight against Van in 2025. Pantoja fell awkwardly during an exchange and his arm popped, which forced the fight to be stopped in the opening round.
While he recovered, Van took over as UFC flyweight champion and made a successful defense of his ***** le in a potential Fight of the Year candidate against Tatsuro Taira in May. Now Van looks to settle any debates about his championship reign when he faces Pantoja in a rematch now scheduled for September.
In the co-main event, widely considered the top lightweight contender in the UFC, Tsarukyan returns after spending the better part of the past year making a name for himself in RAF where he's been wrestling almost every month. Now he gets back to business in the UFC trying to build on his five-fight win streak, which includes wins over Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker.
#flyweight
3 months ago
Paul Hughes hopes to get one more shot at PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
Hughes (14-3) suffered two close **** le losses to Nurmagomedov, with their rematch at PFL Champions Series 2 sparking debate on the decision. He was scheduled to headline PFL Belfast against Jay Jay Wilson in April, but a knee injury, which required surgery, forced him out of the bout.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is now a free agent after retaining his lightweight **** le with a first-round TKO of Archie Colgan at PFL New York this past Friday, making it a possibility that Hughes never gets his wish of a trilogy.
"First of all, Nurmagomedov, first-round knockout, I knew you'd win," Hughes said on his "X." "Different level than Colgan. In fact, different level than most lightweights in the world to be honest. Obviously, a lot of questions where his future lies. If it's UFC, I don't think anyone gives him many problems in the top 15 other than certain stylistic matches like (Ilia) Topuria, (Max) Holloway. Anyway, if he sticks around at PFL, obviously we have a lot of history there.
"I think the MMA world is in agreement that we're one each right now. Second fight, close. I took full responsibility for it at the time. I did not train for six weeks before that fight. I've just done back-to-back surgeries because of injuries. I believe 100 percent I have the beating of that man. I know that that trilogy can happen down the line. May sound absolutely deluded, I know a lot of people are going to think that."
#hughes #colgan #title
Hughes (14-3) suffered two close **** le losses to Nurmagomedov, with their rematch at PFL Champions Series 2 sparking debate on the decision. He was scheduled to headline PFL Belfast against Jay Jay Wilson in April, but a knee injury, which required surgery, forced him out of the bout.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is now a free agent after retaining his lightweight **** le with a first-round TKO of Archie Colgan at PFL New York this past Friday, making it a possibility that Hughes never gets his wish of a trilogy.
"First of all, Nurmagomedov, first-round knockout, I knew you'd win," Hughes said on his "X." "Different level than Colgan. In fact, different level than most lightweights in the world to be honest. Obviously, a lot of questions where his future lies. If it's UFC, I don't think anyone gives him many problems in the top 15 other than certain stylistic matches like (Ilia) Topuria, (Max) Holloway. Anyway, if he sticks around at PFL, obviously we have a lot of history there.
"I think the MMA world is in agreement that we're one each right now. Second fight, close. I took full responsibility for it at the time. I did not train for six weeks before that fight. I've just done back-to-back surgeries because of injuries. I believe 100 percent I have the beating of that man. I know that that trilogy can happen down the line. May sound absolutely deluded, I know a lot of people are going to think that."
#hughes #colgan #title
4 months ago
On Saturday, two elite lightweights faced off in the UFC 329 co-main event when Paddy Pimblett took on Benoit Saint-Denis. The Frenchman entered the bout as a solid favorite following a four-fight win streak, with all of them finishes. However, “The Baddy” again quieted the doubters and scored an impressive submission victory a minute into the bout. Putting the heavy hitter to sleep.
Following his big win, find out where Pimblett lands in our updated UFC lightweight rankings.
Since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in the fall of 2024, Australian Quillan Salkilld has been very impressive. He won his first four in the Octagon, including three first-round finishes. However, he got his biggest test yet in May against top-15 stalwart Beneil Dariush.
But just like most of his previous UFC foes, the young fighter got the well-respected MMA veteran out of there in less than a round. His 12th straight win earns him a spot in our UFC lightweight top 10.
At the end of 2024, Renato Moicano was one of the hottest fighters in the division after winning four straight, including stoppage wins over Jalin Turner and Benoit Saint-Denis. However, back-to-back losses — including a short-notice defeat to former lightweight king Islam Makhachev — ended his momentum as he started the new year.
Following his big win, find out where Pimblett lands in our updated UFC lightweight rankings.
Since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in the fall of 2024, Australian Quillan Salkilld has been very impressive. He won his first four in the Octagon, including three first-round finishes. However, he got his biggest test yet in May against top-15 stalwart Beneil Dariush.
But just like most of his previous UFC foes, the young fighter got the well-respected MMA veteran out of there in less than a round. His 12th straight win earns him a spot in our UFC lightweight top 10.
At the end of 2024, Renato Moicano was one of the hottest fighters in the division after winning four straight, including stoppage wins over Jalin Turner and Benoit Saint-Denis. However, back-to-back losses — including a short-notice defeat to former lightweight king Islam Makhachev — ended his momentum as he started the new year.
4 months ago
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let's start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
That's a wrap! Conor McGregor says goodbye to UFC lightweight division — '170 is a comfortable cut': Well, when you can convince Lightweights to move up to 155 pounds, why not?
Conor McGregor opens as betting underdog against powerful Paddy Pimblett for post-UFC 329 showdown: If McGregor has any of his prior athleticism and timing, he would smoke Pimblett.
Conor McGregor wants a quick turnaround after UFC 329 fight: 'We plan on getting busy here': We will all believe it when we see it!
Let's start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
That's a wrap! Conor McGregor says goodbye to UFC lightweight division — '170 is a comfortable cut': Well, when you can convince Lightweights to move up to 155 pounds, why not?
Conor McGregor opens as betting underdog against powerful Paddy Pimblett for post-UFC 329 showdown: If McGregor has any of his prior athleticism and timing, he would smoke Pimblett.
Conor McGregor wants a quick turnaround after UFC 329 fight: 'We plan on getting busy here': We will all believe it when we see it!
5 months ago
The UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House sent ripples through the worlds of sports and politics and culture, living up to the promise of a Rorschach test in which seemingly no two people saw the exact same thing. Now that the dust has settled, here's how the list of big winners and losers looks to this writer.
This is a safe ******* e so you can ahead and admit it: you didn't ever think Gaethje would get to call himself the one and only UFC lightweight champion.
There's no shame in being wrong about that. Since when do 37-year-old lightweights up and win the undisputed ******* le after already having had that window of opportunity slammed on their heads twice before? It simply doesn't happen.
But we made a critical error in our ******* sment of Gaethje's late-career abilities. We forgot to take into account his unique ability to somehow, some way convince his opponents to engage in a Justin Gaethje kind of fight. You know the kind. Feet firmly planted. Haymakers whistling through the air. A battle of power and toughness and good ol' stubbornness. And you're simply not going to out-stubborn this anvil-headed mule. To finally win the ******* le this way is a storybook ending for Gaethje — even though we all know it won't actually be the end.
Remember that thing Muhammad Ali said about how it ain't bragging if it's true? Actually, maybe that was Will Rogers. Regardless, Topuria's first professional defeat was a good reminder that, when you don't back it up, all that confidence — the specific predictions and promises, the celebrations before the fight even happens — it just comes off as hubris.
This is a safe ******* e so you can ahead and admit it: you didn't ever think Gaethje would get to call himself the one and only UFC lightweight champion.
There's no shame in being wrong about that. Since when do 37-year-old lightweights up and win the undisputed ******* le after already having had that window of opportunity slammed on their heads twice before? It simply doesn't happen.
But we made a critical error in our ******* sment of Gaethje's late-career abilities. We forgot to take into account his unique ability to somehow, some way convince his opponents to engage in a Justin Gaethje kind of fight. You know the kind. Feet firmly planted. Haymakers whistling through the air. A battle of power and toughness and good ol' stubbornness. And you're simply not going to out-stubborn this anvil-headed mule. To finally win the ******* le this way is a storybook ending for Gaethje — even though we all know it won't actually be the end.
Remember that thing Muhammad Ali said about how it ain't bragging if it's true? Actually, maybe that was Will Rogers. Regardless, Topuria's first professional defeat was a good reminder that, when you don't back it up, all that confidence — the specific predictions and promises, the celebrations before the fight even happens — it just comes off as hubris.
