It would be hard to draw up a more significant start to the year than what Usman Nurmagomedov and his teammates have lined up in January.

Umar Nurmagomedov is on the verge of bringing a second UFC title to the Nurmagomedov family. If Islam Makhachev's prediction is correct, a third Nurmagomedov could hold UFC gold soon. Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion,

And if he does that, Makhachev puts himself in lightweight GOAT status. Standing in his way is top-ranked challenger Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev is one of three fighters who will enter the Octagon from the same Russian gym.