UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev expects Usman Nurmagomedov to thrive in the UFC if he signs with the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Nurmagomedov, the PFL lightweight champion, is a pending free agent, and the UFC has already said they are interested in signing him. Makhachev believes Nurmagomedov could thrive in the UFC and prove he is the top lightweight available.

I think it’s good time for Usman to jump to real jungle and give the chance to other guys from our team,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “We have three more guys in PFL who are fighting at lightweight. Usman did really good. He trained very hard for this camp, for this fight because he had a good opponent. But Usman have good style, you know. He have good wrestling, he can defend wrestling, but his kicks, his punching is so fast.”

Islam Makhachev knows Usman Nurmagomedov will have success

Whether or not Nurmagomedov will sign with the UFC is to be seen. But, if he does, he likely would be thrown to the deep end and fight a top-ranked contender.

However, even if he gets a top-five opponent in his debut, Makhachev believes Nurmagomedov can have plenty of success.

“In the UFC, someone in top five,” Makhachev said. “Lightweight top 10 are good fighters. Usman can fight with anyone: (Ilia) Topuria, Arman (Tsarukyan), or somebody else because he’s training with us his whole life. I know his skills. I know what he can do.”

As for Islam Makhachev, he’s set to defend his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 330 on Saturday, August 15 against Ian Machado Garry. Makhachev enters UFC 330 coming off a dominant decision win over Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title. If he can get the win, he will break Anderson Silva’s record for most consecutive wins in the UFC with 17.

Do you agree with Islam Makhachev that Usman Nurmagomedov will thrive in the UFC?

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