UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov may have retired, but his influence remains strong through his family and teammates, including Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev. Years after ‘The Eagle’’s retirement, his students keep Dagestani dominance at the forefront of MMA.

‘Young Eagle’, a top bantamweight prospect, challenged reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili earlier this year but came up short. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev has cemented himself among the sport’s elite lightweights, following in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s footsteps. Next week at UFC 322, Makhachev will fight for a second belt, aiming to honor his mentor and region by potentially becoming a two-division champion with a welterweight title to go with his lightweight one.

With Makhachev’s career only about 1.5 to 2 years from retirement, Umar Nurmagomedov remains the standout prospect from Team Khabib in UFC. The promotion had an opportunity this week to introduce more fresh talent, specifically Mehdi Baydulaev (19-2). However, that chance has slipped away.

The 29-year-old has now signed with UFC’s American rival, PFL.“ Another great signing for PFL Mehdi Baydulaev – 19-2 prospect out of Russia who has been working with Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov and others recently – is the latest to join the PFL roster, per sources,” read a post on X by Damon Martin.

Mehdi Baydulaev, primarily a bantamweight contender, now competes at featherweight. He has built a 13-fight win streak with his strong grappling skills. He has spent most of his career dominating the Russian regional circuit, mainly in Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). His decision to join the PFL may connect to a potential opportunity involving PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, who has already established his name in MMA.

At UFC 321, Nurmagomedov met UFC CEO Dana White and executive Hunter Campbell in Abu Dhabi. With Islam Makhachev moving up to 170 pounds, speculation has grown that another Nurmagomedov could make their UFC debut. However, nothing is official. If true, this could come at the expense of fighters like Mehdi Baydulaev, who might have continued to uphold Dagestani dominance in the 145-pound division.

Here’s what fans are saying about UFC’s missed opportunity.

Fans react as UFC loses top prospect, the “monster grappler” from ‘Team Khabib’

PFL has emerged as one of the strongest competitors to the UFC in the United States, a position that gained momentum following its merger with Bellator in November 2023. The merger brought Bellator’s roster under the PFL banner, with the promotion claiming that the combined lineup could rival the UFC in both talent and quality. Still, despite the boost, PFL remains behind the UFC when it comes to roster depth and overall fighter caliber.

One fan commented, “Looking forward to him fighting once in 3 years with PFL,” a remark that underscores the growing frustration among former Bellator fighters struggling to stay active since joining the PFL. Several top Bellator names, including former champions, have since parted ways with the PFL due to limited fight opportunities and long periods of inactivity after the merger. In contrast, the UFC continues to host events almost every week with stacked cards and elite competition.

However, fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with the UFC’s fighter pay, pointing out that while the promotion boasts incredible talent, it often comes at a cost to the athletes. One fan accused Dana White and his team of underpaying fighters, commenting, “UFC looking for the talented athletes willing to work for 5/5 Hitman. They don’t wanna pay anyone lol.” Not every comment criticizes the UFC or its matchmakers, but many fans believe the promotion is missing out on ‘Team Khabib’s prospects.

Another fan remarked, “Amazing pick up by PFL. Baydulaev is one of the BW free agents in the world. UFC’s loss will be PFL’s gain if they continue letting former ACA free agents (the 3rd strongest roster in MMA) slip through their fingers.” The ACA organization has earned a strong reputation for its deep and competitive lineup of Russian fighters. Some of its most notable athletes include Magomedrasul Gasanov, Shamil Abdulaev, Artem Frolov, and Muslim Magomedov.

Meanwhile, expectations are high for Mehdi Baydulaev, who many fans see as a potential “UFC next” star. Although the hype surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate is justified, the Russian standout has shown vulnerability in the past. He holds two career losses, one to Trevin Jones in 2018 and another to Rodolfo Marques in 2017.

A fan pointed this out, saying, “I know Mehdi Baydulaev good but getting subbed by Trevin Jones is such a bad look.” The loss to Marques came via split decision, while Jones submitted Baydulaev in the first round. Since then, Baydulaev has made an impressive comeback, remaining unbeaten and showcasing dominant performances.

With 53% of his wins coming by submission, another fan praised him as “a monster grappler.” Despite his resurgence, Baydulaev seems to have slipped off the UFC’s radar for now. Still, with Usman Nurmagomedov potentially paving the way for new Dagestani talent in the UFC, Baydulaev’s chance could resurface soon. Stay tuned for further updates.