#4. Zubaira Tukhugov - UFC featherweight
Zubaira Tukhugov is another teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov who competed at UFC 267. He put on what was arguably a career-best performance against the always dangerous Ricardo Ramos.
Tukhugov's striking, especially his jab, appears to have come on leaps and bounds. He was able to keep outpointing Ramos by throwing it out, and then also using it to set up heavy overhands and rear straights.
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Tukhugov has been in the UFC since 2014, and now has five wins over legitimate opposition such as Douglas Silva de Andrade and Kevin Aguilar. His performance against Ramos showed some noticeable improvements in his game, and it may well be the perfect time for Tukhugov to put together a run into the UFC's 145lb rankings.
#3. Usman Nurmagomedov - Bellator lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov has been heralded by Javier Mendez as the one Dagestani prospect who has the potential to not only equal Khabib's dominance, but surpass it.
This is high praise indeed. Whilst Usman Nurmagomedov may well reach these highs in his career one day, for the time being he is building up an impressive undefeated record.
Usman signed with Bellator MMA at the start of 2021, where he has since gone 3-0. This brings Usman's total record to 14-0. However, whilst this record does look impressive, he is yet to face off against truly high-level opposition.
Now ranked within the top 10 of Bellator's lightweight division, it seems likely that his next opponent will be a noticeable step up in quality. It may be that this fight truly determines whether Usman can replicate Khabib's success in the sport of MMA.