The name of Ilia Topuria is once again at the eye of the storm. The Spanish-Georgian champion, known as El Matador, has faced fresh criticism from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s close circle, who disagree with the recognition the UFC has given him as the lightweight division’s number one. The latest voice to speak out was Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of the legendary former champion, who openly questioned the merits of the current king at 155 pounds.

Usman Nurmagomedov’s harsh criticism

In statements to MMA Fighting, the current PFL lightweight champion was blunt: “How can he be number one without fighting anyone? He only fought once. I have 19 fights in the division, I’ve beaten ex-champions and champions. My résumé is better than his. How many fights does he have? 14? I have 14 finishes in my career.”

Usman’s frustration came after the UFC confirmed Topuria as a title challenger at lightweight, despite his meteoric rise in the division. The controversy is not new: at the time, Islam Makhachev, the former champion of the weight class, demanded that the Spanish-Georgian fight first at lightweight before being given a shot at the belt.

Ironically, Makhachev himself decided to move up to welterweight without ever debuting in that division and is now preparing to face Jack Della Maddalena in November, exposing the contradictions in the Dagestani team’s narrative.

A conflict beyond the octagon

Despite his sharp words, Usman admitted that Makhachev’s interests still lie in the lightweight division: “I don’t want to put myself at the top of the category because Islam is still there. He won’t leave that division; when he does, we’ll see,” he said.

The situation adds even more tension to a rivalry that has turned into a real standoff between Topuria and the Nurmagomedov clan, once led by Khabib. What seemed like an inevitable showdown between Topuria and Makhachev was left in limbo after Maddalena’s loss, which derailed the UFC’s dream plans.

Today, the two fighters’ paths seem more distant than ever, and words have become the only weapon in this ongoing feud. For Ilia Topuria, however, the reality looks different: he remains firm at the top of the lightweight division, convinced that he has earned his place inside the octagon, even if the Dagestani camp keeps firing criticism his way.