Following his teammate’s victory this past weekend at UFC 330, PFL champion and free agent Usman Nurmagomedov found himself being urged to sign with the UFC by Daniel Cormier.
Islam Makhachev, a close friend and training partner of Nurmagomedov, found victory in the evening’s main event against Ian Machado Garry, securing the first defense of his welterweight title.
Nurmagomedov had the last match on his PFL contract in July and executed a highlight-reel finish of Archie Colgan. During the post-fight interview, the lightweight champion touched on the future. On the one hand, he could stick with the PFL, where he’s found a great deal of success, and given their recent merger with Most Valuable Promotions, now is a better time than ever to renegotiate. On the other hand, he could make the jump to the UFC, with the potential to get the true recognition that many feel he deserves.
After UFC 330, former heavyweight champion and commentator Daniel Cormier caught up with the Makhachev-Nurmagomedov clan and had a brief chat with Usman about his free agency. DC suggested that it’s time Nurmagomedov makes the move to the UFC in order to chase ‘legacy’.
DC staying in recruiting mode after #UFC330 🤣 pic.twitter.com/BGrGlpdQKu
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 16, 2026
“Hey, when are you coming? When are you coming here?”
“It’s now time to stop wasting time. It’s now about legacy.”