Islam Makhachev Eyes UFC Test for Usman

Islam Makhachev has outlined the kind of UFC challenge he believes could await longtime teammate Usman Nurmagomedov if the unbeaten lightweight joins the promotion. Speaking after Nurmagomedov completed his PFL deal, Makhachev said a move to the UFC would represent a long-held ambition for their team and argued that the deeper pool of opponents would accelerate Nurmagomedov’s development. His comments did not announce a signing or a booked debut, but they put clear names and divisions behind the team’s hopes.

The timing of Makhachev’s remarks follows a significant moment for Nurmagomedov. This past Friday, Nurmagomedov ended his PFL contract with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan in the PFL New York main event. The source says discussions over a possible UFC move continued immediately after that victory, while Dana White later gave a strong indication that negotiations for Nurmagomedov’s signature had begun. Makhachev’s contribution to that conversation was not a contract update. Instead, he described why he sees the UFC as the right competitive setting and why a title run there would matter to their training group.

Makhachev sees a deeper UFC proving ground

Makhachev said he did not see opponents for Nurmagomedov in PFL or MVP but did see many good opponents for him in the UFC. He presented a UFC move as an opportunity for Nurmagomedov to face new challenges, rather than simply a change of employer. Makhachev also said Nurmagomedov would grow quickly in the UFC. He went on to speculate that Nurmagomedov could immediately fight one of the division’s top-ranked competitors in his promotional debut. For Makhachev, the proposed move fits a broader team ambition involving Khabib Nurmagomedov and himself: seeing Usman Nurmagomedov become a UFC champion.

When asked about a potential first UFC opponent, Makhachev did not limit his teammate to a gradual introduction. He suggested a fighter from the top five could be possible, then pointed to the lightweight top 10 as a group containing good fighters. Makhachev specifically named Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan while saying Nurmagomedov could fight anyone. Those remarks are an expression of Makhachev’s belief in Nurmagomedov’s ability, not confirmation that either fighter has been offered, accepted or scheduled for a bout. The practical news remains that negotiations were indicated, while the opponent question remains speculative.

What Makhachev’s comments confirm and do not

Makhachev’s public stance supplies a clearer view of his team’s preferred direction. He wants Nurmagomedov in the UFC, believes the move would place him among better opportunities, and sees a championship as the dream outcome. The source also establishes the immediate sequence behind that view: Nurmagomedov’s PFL New York win came first, then continued talks about a UFC move, followed by Makhachev’s thoughts on the level of debut opposition. What remains unresolved is equally important. There is no confirmed UFC deal in the supplied material, no announced debut date and no named opponent. Makhachev’s mention of Topuria and Tsarukyan should be read as an example of the caliber of opponent he considers suitable, not as a matchmaking report. That distinction keeps the focus on the actual development: Makhachev is publicly advocating for a teammate’s UFC arrival while negotiations are reportedly underway. The source adds that Nurmagomedov’s attention will likely return to helping Makhachev during the final weeks of preparation for Makhachev’s UFC 330 title defense against Ian Machado Garry. That places Makhachev at the center of the team’s immediate schedule as well as its longer-term hope for Nurmagomedov.

• Confirmed timeline: Usman Nurmagomedov knocked out Archie Colgan in the first round of the PFL New York main event, completing his PFL deal before UFC discussions continued.
• Makhachev’s position: he wants Usman Nurmagomedov to face strong UFC competition and said becoming a UFC champion would be a dream for their team.

Islam Makhachev has made the team’s preference unmistakable: he wants Usman Nurmagomedov to reach the UFC and test himself quickly against leading lightweight competition. The evidence supplied so far stops short of a completed deal or a booked fight, even with talks reportedly progressing. Makhachev’s comments are most significant as a direct statement of ambition after Nurmagomedov’s final PFL appearance, with the immediate focus also returning to Makhachev’s own preparation for Ian Machado Garry.

Sources: Bloody Elbow