Usman Nurmagomedov is not interested in playing nice with the UFC's 155 pound rankings. He came out and said the current lightweight top ten is a product of a "PR machine" rather than actual merit. That is a bold thing to say about a division stacked with names the promotion loves to push, and it is going to get people talking, whether they agree with him or not. Say what you want about the timing, but Usman does not seem worried about making enemies on his way up.
Sources (7)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- HORRIBLE PICTURES: This is why Dillon Danis pulled out of the fight (Frontkick Online)
- UFC Shanghai weigh-in results: Both fighters miss weight for matchup in rare mishap (Yahoo Sports)
- Usman Nurmagomedov trashes UFC lightweight top ten, claims they’re a product of ‘PR machine’ (Yahoo Sports)
- Moses Itauma brushes off 'school' jibes as he aims to be youngest heavyweight champ since Mike Tyson (Yahoo Sports)
- Stop crying! Umar Nurmagomedov is tired of ‘Disrespect Dvalishvili’ talking about him (MMA Mania)
- Usman Nurmagomedov trashes UFC lightweight top ten, claims they’re a product of ‘PR machine’ (MMA Mania)
- Legendary ref confirms Paddy Pimblett and Max Holloway have Khabib Nurmagomedov to thank for UFC fine (Bloody Elbow)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the August 28, 2026 edition of the daily show.