Islam Makhachev, the welterweight champion, has weighed in on the potential UFC debut of Usman Nurmagomedov, expressing his team's dream for Nurmagomedov to become a champion. Makhachev believes that Nurmagomedov's move to the UFC is timely, citing the availability of strong opponents in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. He suggests that Nurmagomedov could face top-ranked fighters like Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, which would accelerate his growth in the UFC. Makhachev's comments come as Nurmagomedov's future remains a hot topic in the MMA world, with Dana White hinting at negotiations for his signature. The UFC is reportedly willing to pay Nurmagomedov whatever he wants, sending a message to MVP MMA after their merger with PFL. Makhachev's perspective highlights the potential for Nurmagomedov's arrival to elevate the UFC's lightweight and welterweight divisions, while also providing an opportunity for Nurmagomedov to showcase his skills and become a champion. The article concludes by noting that Nurmagomedov's attention will shift back to Makhachev's preparation for his upcoming title defense against Ian Machado Garry.
