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PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov hasn\u2019t entered the UFC yet, but he\u2019s already talking trash about the quality of opposition he may face when he gets there.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Sport24, Usman pushed back on the idea that the top fighters are all in the UFC.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey say if you don\u2019t fight in the UFC, it\u2019s not the same level. I disagree with this,\u201d he said. \u201cJust 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 \u2018Money\u2019 Moicano, lost 3 more. Lost in 30 seconds. [Michael] Chandler. Top 15. He\u2019s there. Lost to [Paddy] Pimblett.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c[Ilia] Topuria, who praised himself endlessly, lost. Quit on the stool. Said \u2018I don\u2019t wanna continue.\u2019 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 title defenses.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Nurmagomedov\u2019s mind, the only reason these fighters are so highly regarded is the UFC\u2019s more visible platform.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know how they can talk? The UFC PR machine is very strong,\u201d Nurmagomedov said. \u201cThe fights I do, not everyone knows the names.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nurmagomedov is certainly talking a big game, as are his teammates who have already dubbed him the next UFC lightweight champion. We\u2019ve seen a number of high profile imports into the UFC lately, and some of them have collapsed spectacularly. If Usman comes in and struggles after talking trash like this, he\u2019ll never hear the end of it.<\/p>\n