Ilia Topuria is underestimated and mocked by Usman Nurmagomedov despite being the top-ranked lightweight.

The lightweight division has always been one of MMA’s most competitive weight classes — a battleground where talent, timing, and legacy collide. Now, as Islam Makhachev vacates his UFC lightweight title to move up to welterweight, the debate over who truly deserves to be called the best lightweight in the world is heating up. Among the loudest voices in that conversation is PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov, who recently mocked newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, questioning whether he’s truly worthy of the top spot.

The conversation is as much about legacy and accomplishments as it is about politics and timing. While Topuria is being celebrated for his meteoric rise and two-division dominance, Nurmagomedov is not impressed — and he isn’t shy about saying so.

A Changing of the Guard in the Lightweight Division

For years, Islam Makhachev sat on the lightweight throne, widely regarded as the successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov, defending the belt with a blend of suffocating grappling and evolved striking. But the UFC landscape never stops shifting. Makhachev’s decision to move up to welterweight and challenge Jack Della Maddalena for a second belt opened the door for a new era at 155 pounds.

The UFC moved quickly, booking a high-stakes fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira for the vacant title. Topuria delivered in spectacular fashion, scoring a knockout victory over the former champion in June to claim gold. The win instantly made him a two-weight world champion, adding a lightweight crown to the featherweight belt he had already held.

To fans, Topuria became the natural successor — undefeated, charismatic, and capable of finishing fights in brutal fashion. But not everyone sees him as the true king of the lightweight jungle.

Nurmagomedov Fires Back: “He Did Only One Fight”

Enter Usman Nurmagomedov, Bellator lightweight champion turned PFL star, a dominant figure with an unblemished record and the kind of pedigree that comes from being part of MMA’s most famous fighting family. In a recent interview, Nurmagomedov dismissed the idea that Ilia Topuria is the world’s best lightweight.

“Come on, Ilia Topuria, how he can be lightweight No. 1 in the world? He cannot be,” Nurmagomedov said. “He did only one fight. I have 19 fights in lightweight [division]. 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.”

To Nurmagomedov, the lightweight rankings shouldn’t be about hype or timing — they should be earned through years of proving dominance in the division. While Topuria is undefeated, Nurmagomedov notes that his résumé at lightweight is razor-thin, consisting of only one fight at 155 pounds.

The Makhachev Factor

Nurmagomedov’s reluctance to claim the top lightweight spot also reflects his loyalty to Islam Makhachev. Despite Makhachev preparing to debut at welterweight, Nurmagomedov still defers to his friend and teammate as the best lightweight alive.

“I don’t want to put myself [at the top] in lightweight because Islam is still in lightweight,” Nurmagomedov explained. “He’s not moving. After he [moves], then we’ll see.”

That deference is telling. Even as he criticizes Topuria, Nurmagomedov makes it clear that in his eyes, the true lightweight king remains Makhachev — at least until he officially leaves the division behind.

Topuria’s Rapid Rise: Talent or Timing?

There’s no denying Ilia Topuria’s star power. His transition from featherweight to lightweight was explosive. Knocking out Charles Oliveira, one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, is no small feat. The performance proved he can compete with the best in a heavier division.

But Nurmagomedov and others point to context: Oliveira was coming off a period of injuries and uncertainty, and Topuria has yet to test himself against other elite lightweights like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Arman Tsarukyan, or Mateusz Gamrot.

The UFC often leans into momentum — promoting fighters who can create headlines, sell tickets, and capture imaginations. Topuria checks every box, from charisma to finishing ability. But MMA purists like Nurmagomedov believe greatness isn’t a moment; it’s a body of work.

Future Collision Course?

The intriguing subplot here is that Usman Nurmagomedov has teased interest in the UFC before. While currently competing in the Professional Fighters League (following the Bellator–PFL merger), the idea of a future crossover fight against Topuria isn’t out of the question.

Nurmagomedov’s confidence, combined with Topuria’s willingness to fight anyone, sets the stage for a potential superfight that could transcend promotional lines. It would also answer the question that’s now dominating MMA discussion: who really deserves to be called the best lightweight in the world?

For now, Nurmagomedov’s focus is on defending his own title. He has a rematch scheduled against Paul Hughes in October, after their first encounter ended in a majority decision win for Nurmagomedov. Determined to leave no doubt this time, he promises a more dominant performance that reasserts his position as the best outside the UFC.

“After I finish this guy, I will call myself the best lightweight,” he said, making clear that his sights are set on more than just another defense — he’s chasing legacy.

Makhachev at Welterweight: A New Monster Emerges

While the lightweight conversation plays out, Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight is equally seismic. Nurmagomedov has every confidence in his teammate’s ability to succeed at a higher weight class.

“I think he’s going to be champion in welterweight,” Nurmagomedov predicted. “Because he has everything. His skills, I think, are better than Maddalena because Maddalena has only boxing. But Islam, if he takes you down, he’s going to hold you the whole round. When Islam holds you, it’s done. We’ll see. Of course, it’s not going to be easy for Islam. Because this is a different weight, but mentally, Islam is a very strong guy.”

Makhachev’s pursuit of a second belt adds yet another layer to an already complex landscape. Should he win at welterweight, it will further strengthen Nurmagomedov’s argument that the UFC’s current lightweight title picture doesn’t tell the full story of who the world’s best lightweight truly is.

Conclusion: Legacy Versus Hype

The lightweight division is at a crossroads. Ilia Topuria represents the new wave — fast, marketable, and dangerous. Usman Nurmagomedov represents the proven elite — unbeaten, dominant, and hungry for recognition.

Nurmagomedov’s comments aren’t just trash talk; they’re a direct challenge to the narrative that championships alone define greatness. In a sport where timing often decides who holds the belt, legacy still matters, and Usman is determined to remind the world of that.

Whether the two ever share the same cage remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the debate over who truly rules the lightweight division is far from over. And as Islam Makhachev climbs toward welterweight glory, the title of “best lightweight in the world” might be more contested — and more political — than ever before.