Following Saturday’s headline bout at the PFL event, the UFC welterweight champion took a moment to send a brief message to Alfie Davies.
Islam Makhachev competed in Dubai on February 7th, facing Usman Nurmagomedov in the inaugural PFL event of 2026. In the main event, Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title with a decisive victory over Alfie Davies. The undefeated fighter from Dagestan, coming off consecutive decision wins against Paul Hughes, sealed the fight in the third round by submitting Davies with an arm triangle choke. As Nurmagomedov celebrated inside the cage with his teammates, Davies, despite his loss, also shared his reflections.
Davies had earned his shot at the title by winning the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament, held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. After defeating Clay Collard and Brent Primus, Davies shocked many by overcoming Gazi Rabadanov, capturing the 155-pound division win and setting up his title fight against his fellow finalists. Makhachev appeared to recall the surprising upset in Charlotte last August, referencing his head-to-head record with Davies following Nurmagomedov’s submission victory.
In a video posted on his Instagram Stories, Davies acknowledged the challenges of elite competition, saying, “I dared to be great, but I was suffocated. This is the life of elite competition.” He also highlighted a notable moment with Makhachev, who told him after their handshake, “Hey, brother, 1-1.” Complimenting Nurmagomedov, Davies added, “Usman, well done. He’s a really tricky guy. He’s hard to hit and really dangerous on the ground.”
Usman Nurmagomedov remains committed to competing within the PFL but there are growing signs that he might follow the path of his cousin, Islam Makhachev, to the UFC. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see Nurmagomedov join the ranks of UFC lightweight contenders like Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, and Max Holloway. Khabib Nurmagomedov has even remarked that Usman’s skills surpass Topuria’s, with many in the Dagestani camp viewing the 21-0 prospect as the heir apparent to both “The Eagle” and Makhachev as UFC lightweight champion.
Saturday’s fight marked Usman’s penultimate bout under his current PFL contract, potentially paving the way for UFC President Dana White to make a move. Should Nurmagomedov decline to renew with the PFL, a high-profile shift to the UFC could be imminent.
Fan Take: This development is thrilling for fight fans because it signals the arrival of yet another elite lightweight talent poised to shake up the UFC division. Usman Nurmagomedov’s likely transition to the UFC not only strengthens the lightweight roster but also promises intense rivalries and memorable matchups that could redefine the sport’s future landscape.
