PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov sits near the top of the promotion’s roster, but challenger Alfie Davis believes a lingering controversy still follows him into the cage. As the two prepare to meet for the lightweight title in Dubai, Davis has openly questioned Nurmagomedov’s credibility, pointing to a failed drug test during his Bellator run as a shadow over the champion’s success.
Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of former UFC lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, defended his Bellator title for the second time in 2023 with a decision win over Brent Primus in California. That result was later overturned to a no-contest after Nurmagomedov failed a drug test. The commission suspended him for six months and fined him $50,000, although he retained the title. Officials never disclosed the exact substance, only describing it as “a prescription medicine.”
At the time, Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz downplayed the issue, saying the fighter used medication to treat an illness.
“It’s not an anabolic steroid, EPO, HGH, etc. Nothing enhancing,” Abdelaziz said.
Davis, however, remains unconvinced as he gears up to challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for the PFL lightweight crown this Saturday.
“It’s very annoying, being a clean athlete and having to deal with cheats, essentially,” Davis told MMA Fighting. “I think a lifetime ban should be implemented, especially because it’s fighting. It’s almost like a sword if you’re using that external weapon. But there’s nothing I can do about it, so I try not to let it bother me too much.”
Davis went further, questioning the broader reputation of Dagestani fighters while stopping short of accusing everyone from the region.
“It kind of bothers me when people go on about how great the Dagestanis are,” he said. “From observation, they’ve got great technique, but they’ve been renowned drug cheats for years. That bothers me about Usman being seen as this amazing fighter when he’s been popped. How can you be a GOAT in a sport where you’re meant to be clean?”
“I don’t think everyone is on it because some people morally don’t agree with it,” he said. “They talk about what’s haram, then they’re doing PEDs. That contradiction doesn’t sit right with me.”
Despite the accusations, Davis understands the challenge in front of him. He credits Usman Nurmagomedov as a smart, composed fighter who knows how to edge rounds and control fights on the scorecards.
“There’s no way of outpointing him,” Davis said. “He’s very clever and very good at nicking rounds. I can’t let him steal the rounds. I need to put it on him, damage him, and make it a firefight.”
The 33-year-old Englishman plans to apply relentless pressure and test Nurmagomedov’s durability from the opening bell.
“I’m a striker by trade, and I’m coming to put it on him,” Davis said. “I’m trying to knock him out from start to finish. I think he crumbles under pressure. When the fire gets hot, he starts crumbling, and I’m going to make him crumble.”
Davis also believes a win would derail any plans for Usman Nurmagomedov to exit the PFL for the UFC once his contract expires.
“I’ll definitely spoil that plan,” Davis said. “If I beat him the way I think I will, I don’t think he deserves an immediate rematch. He’ll have to get back in line.”
Looking beyond Saturday, Davis even floated the idea of calling out Khabib Nurmagomedov himself.
“I beat a Dagestani last time, I’m going to beat Usman, and then I’ll call out Khabib to come out of retirement,” Davis said. “There’ll be no more guys from the Nurmagomedov school for me to beat.”
Whether the controversy fuels him or not, Davis knows defeating Usman Nurmagomedov in Dubai would be the defining moment of his career and potentially the start of a new chapter for the PFL’s lightweight division.
