The world of mixed martial arts is on fire as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov,  steps in to defend his Bellator lightweight championship title against Alexandr Shabliy in San Diego. While the lightweight champion’s past troubles with the California State Athletic Commission resurfaced, the fighting community began wondering about what the future holds for Nurmagomedov. 

Will he stay in Bellator Fighting Championship, or step into the Octagon and compete for the UFC championship title? Well, the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez, has weighed in on this. 

Coach reveals if Usman Nurmagomedov will enter UFC or not

Nurmagomedov has come out clean following his 6-month suspension owing to a failed dr*g test. Now, he is set to defend his championship belt, after his last title defense against Brent Primus at Bellator 300 was overturned. But what’s next for the lightweight champ? Javier Mendez weighed in on this in an interview, right before the fights at Bellator Champions Series, San Diego, commenced.

The MMA coach assured that Nurmagomedov would rise victorious against Shabliy and will face whoever Bellator Fighting Championship proposes for him. Needless to say, shifting to the UFC was not something that the 26-year-old mixed martial artist looked up to. Mendez declared that Bellator took good care of him and the Dagestani was happy with his stance in the MMA promotion.

Mendez said, “I can’t say that he’ll go to the UFC because he’s happy where he’s at.” He continued to say that Nurmagomedov had a legitimate championship belt in a legitimate mixed martial arts promotion, and a legitimate opponent to fight. There was indeed nothing else that the Dagestani champion would need.

But when the same question was put in front of Usman Nurmagomedov, he blurted a name that he wanted to go up against next. And of course, it wasn’t a name that fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin names his next opponent

In an interview with MMA Junkie, the 26-year-old fighter revealed what he planned to do after his fight at Bellator Champions Series, in San Diego. He expressed his desire to fight AJ McKee. The ‘Mercenary’ will fight Paul Hughes at PFL Super Fights, on 19th October. Being a fighter with 22 victories and no defeats, he has caught the attention of many mixed martial artists, including that of Nurmagomedov.

The Bellator lightweight champion said, “I think if he’s healthy and he’s ready, I think it’s going to be A.J. McKee…He’s a tough guy. I think he’s going to win [against Hughes], and then next fight, I think it’s going to be A.J. McKee vs. Usman Nurmagomedov.”

Nurmagomedov, no doubt, aims at winning the fight against Shabliy and extending his 17-fight undefeated streak. But the lightweight fighter does not intend to fight under the banner of UFC. 

What are your thoughts on Mendez’s speculations about Nurmagomedov’s future? Do you want him to compete in the Octagon? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.