Usman Nurmagomedov's 90-day exclusive negotiating period with PFL/MVP MMA has expired, leaving the undefeated lightweight free to open talks with the UFC and any other promotion. He fought out his PFL contract in July with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan at PFL New York. His manager Ali Abdelaziz says Nurmagomedov rejected a $2 million PFL offer after the fight in search of a higher figure. UFC CEO Dana White has said the promotion will start talking with him once he can negotiate.
Usman Nurmagomedov is now a free agent. His 90-day exclusive negotiating window with PFL/MVP MMA has expired, clearing the undefeated lightweight to open talks with the UFC and any other promotion, Bloody Elbow reported.
Nurmagomedov fought out his PFL contract in July, stopping Archie Colgan with a first-round knockout at PFL New York. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, says the fighter turned down a $2 million PFL offer after that fight because he wanted a higher figure. UFC CEO Dana White has said the promotion will begin talking with him once he is able to negotiate.
The fighter
Nurmagomedov is 22-0, a perfect record that sits among the longest in the sport at his weight. He is 27 years old, hails from Russia, and holds the number 14 spot in the AgentMMA pound-for-pound rankings. He stands five-foot-eleven (180 cm) with a 71-inch (180 cm) reach.
His numbers show an efficient rather than high-volume striker. He lands 0.33 significant strikes per minute at 52.78 percent accuracy, meaning just over half of what he throws finds its target. He averages 0.65 takedowns per 15 minutes and has attempted no submissions per 15 minutes in the tracked sample, so his output relies on selective, accurate offense. The Colgan finish fits that profile, ending the fight inside one round.
Why it matters
- Timing: with the exclusivity period over, the reported $2 million offer is no longer a deadline, and rival promotions can now make their own bids.
- Leverage: a 22-0 record, a pound-for-pound ranking and a fresh first-round knockout give him a strong bargaining position, which helps explain why his camp reportedly pushed for more.
- UFC interest: White's stated intent to talk once negotiations are permitted makes the UFC the most visible suitor, though no agreement has been reported.
The gap between the two sides is the story to watch. Abdelaziz's account indicates the sticking point was money, not a lack of interest from PFL. With the window closed, Nurmagomedov can now test the open market and weigh the UFC's approach against whatever else emerges.
