{"id":629787,"date":"2025-09-14T05:05:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T04:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=629787"},"modified":"2025-09-14T05:06:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T04:06:04","slug":"khabib-nurmagomedov-snubs-ilia-topuria-picks-non-ufc-fighter-as-superior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/khabib-nurmagomedov-snubs-ilia-topuria-picks-non-ufc-fighter-as-superior\/","title":{"rendered":"Khabib Nurmagomedov Snubs Ilia Topuria, Picks Non-UFC Fighter As Superior!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Family loyalty runs deep in Dagestan, where wrestling traditions pass from father to son and cousin to cousin. The mountainous region has produced some of MMA’s greatest fighters, Khabib Nurmagomedov being one of them. He has built his legendary career alongside family members who shared his commitment to excellence. His retirement left a void at lightweight that many fighters have tried to fill, but none have captured the same magic.<\/p>

Ilia Topuria recently captured UFC gold by knocking out Charles Oliveira in spectacular fashion. His rise has been meteoric, with fans and media crowning him as the division’s new king. But Nurmagomedov sees things differently, and his opinion carries serious weight in the MMA<\/a> world. When the undefeated legend speaks about lightweight talent, people listen carefully to every word he says.<\/p>

Khabib Nurmagomedov Champions His Cousin Over Ilia Topuria<\/h2>

The undefeated legend<\/a> didn’t mince words when discussing who he believes represents the best lightweight talent in the world today. During a recent PFL interview, the Dagestani legend made it clear that he thinks his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov stands above Ilia Topuria in terms of overall skill and ability. <\/p>

“They have to fight (to know who is the best). People can talk, they can say whatever they want. It’s my opinion, like, well-rounded fighter, I think Usman is better.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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A post shared by MMA Pros Pick (@mma.pros.pick)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>