Khabib Nurmagomedov pledged to stay retired from MMA following his surprising exit in 2020, and so far, no offer—even a huge payday to fight boxing legend Floyd Mayweather—has been enough to tempt him back. Despite UFC president Dana White’s persistent calls for a rematch with Conor McGregor, Khabib has remained firm in his decision to stay out of competition.
However, if Alfie Davies, the 2025 PFL World Tournament winner, manages to hand Khabib’s undefeated cousin Usman Nurmagomedov his first loss this weekend, Davies plans to make Khabib his next opponent. This would mark a high-stakes challenge to the Nurmagomedov family’s dominance.
The rivalry between Alfie Davies and the Dagestan fight crew kicked off after Davies shocked the MMA world by defeating Gazi Rabadanov in last year’s World Tournament final. Now Davies aims to break through the seemingly impenetrable defensive wall of the Nurmagomedov camp by taking on Usman Nurmagomedov next.
In a recent statement, Davies told the promotion’s social media team that if he beats Usman, his ultimate goal will be to face Khabib Nurmagomedov himself, the man who has already defeated two PFL champions. “I really respect Khabib, but after overcoming Usman, Khabib will be the last boss standing,” Davies remarked, emphasizing that he would want Khabib to come out of retirement for this fight.
Usman Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s cousin, long seemed untouchable as part of the fearsome Dagestan fighting family. However, his two bouts with Paul Hughes last year showed that he is beatable, and Davies gained valuable insights from those tough 10 rounds.
Davies, known for a dynamic and unpredictable fighting style, added, “When I’m in the zone, I start moving in ways even I don’t expect.” He acknowledges how tough it is to build a concrete game plan due to his spontaneity but believes everyone, including the Dagestanis, is human and vulnerable. “This is fighting—you get out what you put in.”
Fan Take:
This emerging rivalry represents an exciting shake-up for MMA fans, pitting the new generation against one of the sport’s most legendary families. If Davies dethrones Usman and challenges Khabib, it could lead to some of the most compelling matchups we’ve seen in years, signaling a thrilling evolution in the lightweight division.
