Usman Nurmagomedov

Islam Makhachev has revealed that Usman Nurmagomedov is 90% done with a move to the UFC. The lightweight champion's comments signal that a formal announcement could be imminent for the unbeaten contender.

Makhachev

Ali Abdelaziz, manager of Khabib Nurmagomedov's team, publicly attacked journalist Ariel Helwani on X, accusing him of chasing drama and sensationalism at the expense of the team. The dispute stems from Helwani's comments about Usman Nurmagomedov entering the cage after a fight, which Helwani called an emotional but impermissible rules violation. Abdelaziz countered that Usman acted out of distress over a family matter, and said Urijah Faber confirmed Song Yadong's team behaved respectfully throughout the situation. Abdelaziz also cited the friction as the reason fighters from the team decline to grant Helwani interviews.

Nurmagomedov, Yadong

Song Yadong scored a stunning knockout win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song on August 29, 2026 in Shanghai, China. The bout ended at 1:48 of round two when Song, a significant underdog, dropped Nurmagomedov with a short right hand leading to a KO/TKO stoppage. The result is a major bantamweight upset, as Nurmagomedov entered as a top contender and former title challenger, while Song fought on home soil. This win dramatically boosts Song’s standing in the division and could propel him into title discussions, while Nurmagomedov will need to rebound from his first knockout loss.

Nurmagomedov, Yadong

Usman Nurmagomedov has revealed that his team submitted a contract request to PFL/MVP worth more than $2 million per fight, with negotiations still ongoing and a 90-day window yet to expire. The undefeated lightweight champion said the process is being handled by his representative Ali Abdelaziz and that he is waiting to hear PFL's vision for his future. Nurmagomedov also pushed back on Arman Tsarukyan's suggestion that he would lose if he moved to the UFC, noting that Tsarukyan himself lost his UFC debut to Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev, Tsarukyan

Usman Nurmagomedov's representative John Martin has pushed back on reports that the Bellator lightweight champion is set to sign with the UFC. Martin stated that the UFC has not made Nurmagomedov an offer and is not legally permitted to do so, citing an existing exclusive arrangement. Martin described the circulating claims as "misinformation."

Video footage from backstage at UFC 330 in Philadelphia shows Daniel Cormier imploring PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov to make the move to the UFC. Cormier, who has trained alongside many of the Dagestani fighters at American Kickboxing Academy, told Nurmagomedov it was time to think about legacy. Nurmagomedov attended the event to support teammate Islam Makhachev and is currently a free agent after his knockout of Archie Colgan at PFL New York fulfilled the final bout on his contract.

Makhachev, Cormier