American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez says PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov would defeat every current UFC lightweight, including Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. Nurmagomedov, 21-0, is set to defend his PFL title against Archie Colgan at PFL New York next Friday before becoming a free agent on August 1. PFL CEO John Martin has acknowledged the promotion will not stand in the way of a potential UFC move, though no formal decision has been announced.
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has made a sweeping claim about one of MMA's most talked-about free agents, stating that PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov would beat every fighter currently competing in the UFC's 155-pound division.
Mendez specifically called out UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and ranked contender Paddy Pimblett as fighters he believes Nurmagomedov would defeat. The comments come with notable timing: Nurmagomedov is set to defend his PFL title against Archie Colgan at PFL New York next Friday, and he becomes a free agent on August 1. PFL CEO John Martin has acknowledged the promotion will not stand in the way of a potential UFC move, though no formal deal has been announced.
Nurmagomedov enters that title defense at a flawless 20-0, ranked 14th on the pound-for-pound list at just 27 years old. The Russian stands five-foot-eleven with a 71-inch reach and is known primarily as a grappler, averaging 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking output of 0.36 significant strikes landed per minute reflects a game built around controlling opponents rather than hunting finishes on the feet.
Gaethje, the current UFC lightweight titleholder, presents a contrasting profile. The 37-year-old American carries a 28-5 record and is one of the most relentless pressure strikers in the division's history, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. Pimblett, ranked sixth in the UFC's lightweight division at 31, holds a 24-4 record and contributes high striking volume of his own at 5.48 significant strikes landed per minute, while also posing a submission threat with 1.4 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Nurmagomedov's impending free agency makes his next move one of the most anticipated storylines in MMA
- A potential UFC arrival would place him immediately in title contention at lightweight
- His grappling-heavy style sets up a stark contrast against the striking-based approaches of Gaethje and Pimblett
- The Colgan defense next Friday serves as his final audition before the market opens
