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Usman Nurmagomedov’s Future Unclear Following Final Fight On PFL Contract

By FIGHT SPORTS

Usman Nurmagomedov appears to be currently keeping his options open following the last fight on his PFL contract amid the MVP merger, and he has even hinted at a possible move to the UFC.

The former Bellator lightweight champion successfully defended his PFL title on Friday with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan, simultaneously adding a 22nd professional win to his undefeated record and completing his contract with the organization.

In an update to this situation over the weekend, Khabib Nurmagomedov posted on Instagram to congratulate his younger cousin on the victory, as well as offer some clarity on next steps. He also stated that Usman is the best lightweight fighter outside the ranks of the UFC, which some are reading into as an indicator of where they want to take his career.

Usman Nurmagomedov has shown and proven over the last couple of years that he is the best lightweight outside of ufc.
Not with words but with your speeches.

When I said 2020 about Islam being the best at that time, there were many people who disagreed, trust me guys there are levels to this game.

You’ll see what happens next. The negotiations will be held next month, very soon you will find out in which league he will continue to play.

Following the retention of his title, Jake Paul joined the champion for his post-fight interview and seemed to be looking for a commitment from Nurmagomedov to renew his contract. Paul is serving in a prominent position within MVP/PFL MMA operations now that the merger is complete, in addition to being a co-founder, so it is clear why he shows such an interest in retaining Nurmagomedov in the stable of fighters.

But Nurmagomedov did not commit to a ‘next fight’ with the organization during his time on the mic, despite the offer from Paul for a new car for a knockout in his next appearance. Instead, the Dagestan native made it clear he was keeping his options open to see where the better offer comes from, and it will clearly come down to a decision between MVP and UFC.

“It was my last fight [on my contract]. MVP, they always trash talks a little bit about Dana – he doesn’t pay. Now we’re going to see how they’re going to pay.”

In addition to his failed attempt of a commitment from the champion on the spot, Paul also threw a nasty comment toward UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who is under the same management company as Nurmagomedov, and was in attendance at the event on Friday. Paul suggested that Nurmagomedov would make ‘light work’ of Gaethje, but that didn’t sit well with PFL champion, and he made his thoughts clear on the whole interaction in the post-event press conference.

“Like a promoter, he talks too much. He’s not a fighter, he’s a YouTuber guy. When somebody doesn’t give respect for Justin Gaethje, this is not good.”

Following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Serbia, Dana White was asked if he is interested in signing the missing member of the Nurmagomedov clan now that his contract is up, to which the organization’s CEO replied with a simple confirmation, and a cryptic smile indicating talks could already be underway.

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