Reports: Usman Nurmagomedov Reached Agreement to Join UFC, Official Announcement Expected at UFC 334

Undefeated lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov has reportedly agreed to join the UFC, with an official announcement said to be planned for UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden, according to MMAADDICT. The move has not been officially confirmed.

If the report proves accurate, it would bring one of the sport's top unbeaten fighters into the promotion's 155-pound division. The story describes Nurmagomedov as a former Bellator and PFL champion.

Nurmagomedov is 22-0, and at 27 he is still in his competitive prime. The Russian stands five-foot-eleven (180 cm) with a 71-inch reach, which gives him a reach exactly equal to his height. AgentMMA lists him 14th in its pound-for-pound rankings, a placement that stands out for a fighter who has not yet competed in the UFC.

His numbers point to a patient, precise approach rather than a volume-striking one. Nurmagomedov lands 0.33 significant strikes per minute with 52.78 percent accuracy, so more than half of what he throws connects. He averages 0.65 takedowns per 15 minutes and has recorded no submission attempts per 15 minutes, which suggests his offense leans on striking and controlled grappling rather than hunting for finishes on the mat.

Why it matters

• A 22-0 record and a top-15 pound-for-pound ranking would make him an immediate talking point in a deep lightweight division.
• His low output paired with high accuracy offers a clear stylistic contrast to high-volume UFC strikers.
• The reported timing, an announcement at a major Madison Square Garden card, would fit the scale of the signing if it is real.

For now, the deal remains unconfirmed. Neither the UFC nor Nurmagomedov has publicly addressed the report, and the details of any contract, including when he might make his debut or who he might face, have not been reported. The promotion's lightweight ranks and any prospective first opponent will become clearer only if an official announcement follows.