Report | UFC signs Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Russia is home to many of the world’s present and past greatest fighters. And as time moves forward, that will surely only continue to be the case.

The UFC lightweight title is currently held by the unstoppable 27-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Sambo smashing machine is, however, currently suspended due to a post-fight scuffle that took place after his last bout at UFC 229 in October.

Also involved in the altercation was Professional Fighters League (PFL) welterweight Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s cousin and teammate at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA).

Because of his involvement, Abubakar would also earn himself a suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for one year along with a fine of $25,000. He will be eligible to compete again in October 2019.

And when he does return, it looks like it will be inside the Octagon for his UFC debut as MMA Team Dagestan is now reporting that Nurmagomedov has signed with the UFC.

“Khabib’s cousin Abubakar will debut in the UFC after he serves his disqualification for UFC 229 brawl” MMA Team Dagestan tweeted.

For the younger Nurmagomedov, he was actually supposed to make his UFC debut early in 2018 when he was set to face Sergio Moraes at UFC Belem. Nurmagomedov would end up pulling out of the fight for unknown reasons.

After this, Nurmagomedov would go on to compete in the PFL’s million dollar welterweight tournament where he fought three times in going 1-1-1. His last fight came against UFC veteran, Bojan Velickovic in a quarterfinal bout which would end up resulting in a draw. The PFL’s tiebreaker system meant Nurmagomedov would move on but unfortunately, a hand injury would force him out.

The 15-2-1 welterweight will make for yet another great addition in the UFC’s talent flooded division.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/2/2019