Usman Nurmagomedov
Russian mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Usman Magomednabiyevich Nurmagomedov[a] (born 17 April 1998) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he is the current and inaugural PFL Lightweight World Champion. He formerly competed in Bellator MMA, where he was the last Lightweight World Champion. He has also previously competed in the UAE Warriors and Eagle Fighting Championship (then Gorilla Fighting Championship). As of January 27, 2026, he is #1 in the PFL men's pound-for-pound rankings.[2]
| Usman Nurmagomedov | |
|---|---|
Nurmagomedov in 2022 | |
| Born | Usman Magomednabiyevich Nurmagomedov[1] 17 April 1998 Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia |
| Native name | Усман Нурмагомедов |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia |
| Team | Eagles MMA American Kickboxing Academy |
| Trainer | Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov (former) Javier Mendez Khabib Nurmagomedov |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 22 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 0 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
He is the younger brother of UFC fighter Umar Nurmagomedov and a cousin of former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.[3]
Background
Usman Nurmagomedov was born on 17 April 1998 in the city of Kizilyurt, Republic of Dagestan, Russia.[4][5]
As a child, living in his native village, with his brother Umar Nurmagomedov, he began to attend freestyle wrestling practice at the age of eight. Once his brother Umar began to practice Thai boxing, Usman followed suit.[6][7][4]
After moving to Makhachkala, Usman began training with his uncle, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov at the Eagles MMA camp. There he gained sambo skills and trained alongside teammates such as his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. He is of Avar ethnic origin.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Nurmagomedov's professional MMA career began on March 26, 2017, in Moscow at the Moscow Pankration Federation promotion tournament. His opponent was Imran Abdiev. Usman won his first professional fight via armbar in the first round.[8][9]
Nurmagomedov would continue fighting in various organizations such as the GFC and UAE Warriors, winning his next 10 fights. All but one of these fights were won by a knockout or submission.[10] After winning his 11th professional fight in the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Memory Tournament, Usman signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator.[11] According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, he is considered to be a "major prospect" in the sport.[12]
Bellator MMA
In his stateside and Bellator debut on April 2, 2021, at Bellator 255, Nurmagomedov fought Mike Hamel. Primarily using his significant reach advantage, Usman focused on throwing kicks and not letting Hamel get into range. At times when Hamel did close the distance, Nurmagomedov took the fight to the ground. He won the fight via Unanimous Decision.[13]
In his second fight for Bellator on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263, Nurmagomedov faced Luis "Manny" Muro. After landing a successful knee that caused Muro to fall to the floor, Nurmagomedov followed through with hammerfists causing the referee to stop the fight in round 1.[14][15]
Nurmagomedov's next fight was at Bellator 269 on October 23, 2021, where he faced Patrik Pietilä at a catchweight bout at 160 lbs. After using his kicks from a distance, Nurmagomedov took the fight to the ground once Pietila closed the distance. Taking his back, Nurmagomedov locked in a rear-naked choke, and won the fight by submission in the first round.[16]
Nurmagomedov then faced Chris Gonzalez on July 22, 2022, at Bellator 283. After tripping Gonzalez, Usman locked in a guillotine choke and got the tap. He won the fight via Submission in the first round.[17]
Bellator lightweight champion
Nurmagomedov faced Patricky Pitbull for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship at Bellator 288 on November 18, 2022.[18] He defeated him in dominant fashion, winning the belt and the bout via unanimous decision.[19]
Lightweight Grand Prix and title defenses
Nurmagomedov was announced as one of the participants of the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix, which has a grand prize of $1 million. On March 10, 2023, Usman defended his title in the quarterfinal of the Grand Prix against former WEC and UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson at Bellator 292.[20] He won the fight quickly, dropping Henderson with a question-mark kick seconds into the fight, and then proceeding to take his back and win the fight with a rear-naked choke.[21]
In the semifinals, Nurmagomedov made his second title defense against former champion Brent Primus on 7 October 2023, at Bellator 300.[22] He originally won the fight by unanimous decision but that result was overturned by CSAC when Nurmagomedov tested positive for a prescription drug that contained a banned substance. He was suspended for 6 months, however due to the accidental nature of the ingestion, he was not stripped of the title.[23][24][25]
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Alexandr Shabliy for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship on May 17, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 2.[26] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew due to injury and the bout was scrapped.[27] The bout was rescheduled and eventually took place on September 7, 2024 at Bellator Champions Series 4.[28] Nurmagomedov won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]
Nurmagomedov next defended his championship against former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion Paul Hughes on January 25, 2025 in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1.[30] Despite a point deduction in round 3 due to an accidental groin shot, he won the fight by majority decision.[31]
A rematch between Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes was confirmed for PFL Champions Series 3 as the headliner in Dubai, for the inaugural PFL Lightweight World Championship.[32] On October 3, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Nurmagomedov won by unanimous decision after five rounds, with judges scoring 50–45, 49–46, and 48–47 in his favor.[33][34][35] The disparity in judge scorecards—especially the 50–45 card—led to controversy and debate among fans and media over judging in closely contested fights.[36][37]
Nurmagomedov made his first defense of the PFL Lightweight Championship against 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament winner Alfie Davis on February 7, 2026, at PFL Champions Series 5.[38][39] He won the bout via submission in the third round.[40]
Nurmagomedov is scheduled to make his second defense against fellow undefeated fighter Archie Colgan on July 31, 2026, at PFL New York.[41][42]
Championships and accomplishments
- Professional Fighters League
PFL Lightweight World Championship (One time; current; inaugural)
- One successful title defense
- Bellator MMA
- Bellator Lightweight World Championship (One time; final)
- Three successful title defenses
- MMA Fighting
- 2025 #2 Ranked Fight of the Year vs. Paul Hughes at PFL Champions Series 1[43]
Mixed martial arts record
| 22 matches | 21 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 0 |
| By submission | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 21–0 (1) | Alfie Davis | Technical Submission (reverse arm-triangle choke) | PFL Dubai: Nurmagomedov vs. Davis | February 7, 2026 | 3 | 4:41 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Defended the PFL Lightweight World Championship. |
| Win | 20–0 (1) | Paul Hughes | Decision (unanimous) | PFL Champions Series 3 | October 3, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Won the inaugural PFL Lightweight World Championship. |
| Win | 19–0 (1) | Paul Hughes | Decision (majority) | PFL Champions Series 1 | January 25, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Defended the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. Nurmagomedov was deducted one point in round 3 due to repeated groin kicks. |
| Win | 18–0 (1) | Alexandr Shabliy | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator Champions Series 4 | September 7, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Defended the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. |
| NC | 17–0 (1) | Brent Primus | NC (overturned) | Bellator 300 | October 7, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Retained the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. Originally a unanimous decision win for Nurmagomedov; overturned after he tested positive for a banned substance. |
| Win | 17–0 | Benson Henderson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 292 | March 10, 2023 | 1 | 2:37 | San Jose, California, United States | Defended the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. |
| Win | 16–0 | Patricky Pitbull | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 288 | November 18, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Won the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. |
| Win | 15–0 | Chris Gonzalez | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 283 | July 22, 2022 | 1 | 2:54 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 14–0 | Patrik Pietilä | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 269 | October 23, 2021 | 1 | 4:06 | Moscow, Russia | Catchweight (160 lb) bout. |
| Win | 13–0 | Manny Muro | TKO (knee to the body) | Bellator 263 | July 31, 2021 | 1 | 3:30 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 12–0 | Mike Hamel | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 255 | April 2, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 11–0 | Svyatoslav Shabanov | TKO (punches) | FNG / GFC: Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Memory Tournament | September 9, 2020 | 2 | 3:37 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 10–0 | Jerry Kvarnstrom | TKO (punches and elbows) | UAE Warriors 12 | July 31, 2020 | 1 | 2:39 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 9–0 | Ruslan Tuyakov | TKO (knees) | Gorilla Fighting 24 | February 9, 2020 | 2 | 2:03 | Saratov, Russia | |
| Win | 8–0 | Roman Golovinov | TKO (punches) | UAE Warriors 9 | November 29, 2019 | 1 | 1:45 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 7–0 | Kazim Zhakhangirov | Submission (guillotine choke) | Gorilla Fighting 17 | September 27, 2019 | 2 | 1:10 | Atyrau, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 6–0 | Ruslan Hisamutdinov | Decision (unanimous) | Gorilla Fighting 15 | July 28, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Penza, Russia | |
| Win | 5–0 | Brian Gonzalez | TKO (punches) | Gorilla Fighting 11 | March 3, 2019 | 1 | 3:14 | Penza, Russia | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Romeo Njia | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Battle on Volga 9 | February 17, 2019 | 1 | 4:48 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Issei Moriyama | TKO (punches) | Brave CF 21 | December 28, 2018 | 1 | N/A | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Dmitriy Berestovskiy | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Battle on Volga 8 | December 14, 2018 | 1 | 5:00 | Samara, Russia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Imran Abdiev | Submission (armbar) | MPF: Young Talents Cup 2017 | March 26, 2017 | 1 | 1:51 | Moscow, Russia | Featherweight debut. |