Aviv Gozali issues warning to Usman Nurmagomedov and says he'd also fight his cousin Khabib

• Aviv Gozali, a 21-year-old MMA prospect, is keen to take on the greatest of challenges.
• The young Israeli star-in-the-making returns to the Bellator cage Saturday for a fight on Showtime.

Rising Bellator MMA prospect Aviv Gozali has issued a warning to emerging lightweight rival Usman Nurmagomedov and even said he'd even fight his cousin Khabib, too.

"I can't wait to fight this guy," Gozali told Insider ahead of the seventh pro MMA of his career Saturday against Bobby Green, which takes place at the Bellator 274 event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Gozali has developed a reputation as a jiu-jitsu expert as he has submitted every opponent he's ever faced, including a record-setting 11-second finish in just his third fight.

He's climbed into the lightweight top-10 ranking at Bellator, and should he triumph over Green this weekend, said he'd want to fight three to four times in 2022 before bringing a championship match to Israel.

Potentially in his way is Usman Nurmagomedov, who, like Gozali, is an undefeated stud in the division, albeit one ranked higher in the weight class.

Gozali is unfazed about having to fight Nurmagomedov. "Bring him!" the 21-year-old told us this week. "Any time, any place, any weight. Bring him."

Gozali said he'd fight Nurmagomedov as early as this year. "Let's do it," he said. "I don't fear no one, and I'll finish this man, also. I promise you, if me and Usman are going to fight, he's going to get finished."

The young star may have to navigate his way through an army of Nurmagomedovs

As Usman is cousins with Khabib, the former UFC lightweight champion who barely broke sweat as he dominated a who's who of elite names in MMA, he may have to handle a build-up involving many members of the Nurmagomedov family.

Usman had fought in regional shows in Russia, as well as companies in the Middle East like Brave CF and UAE Warriors, before signing a Bellator deal and making his debut with the promotion, last year.

Ahead of his Bellator debut in April 2021, Bellator boss Scott Coker told Insider that there was almost an army of Nurmagomedovs and their training partners heading to the venue to support Usman.

Should that happen if Usman and Gozali ever fought, Aviv told us he, again, would remain unfazed.

"If he wants to bring his cousin Khabib, I'll finish him also," Gozali said.