TLDR
- Usman Nurmagomedov became a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan at PFL New York
- PFL declined to meet manager Ali Abdelaziz’s asking price before Nurmagomedov’s final fight
- PFL has 90 days of exclusive negotiation rights with the undefeated lightweight champion
- Abdelaziz predicts Nurmagomedov would stop Ilia Topuria within four rounds if they fight
- Dana White hinted at UFC interest, but Abdelaziz says no deal is finalized yet
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | sherdog.com
Usman Nurmagomedov is now the hottest free agent in mixed martial arts after his contract with PFL expired following a knockout victory. His manager Ali Abdelaziz has revealed details about the negotiation process and made a prediction about a potential matchup with Ilia Topuria.
Nurmagomedov knocked out Archie Colgan in the first round at PFL New York on Friday night. The win completed the final fight on his contract with the promotion, making the undefeated lightweight champion a free agent at 22-0.
Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie that PFL chose not to make an offer before Nurmagomedov’s final fight. The manager said he put a number on the table that he considered fair, but the promotion declined.
“I put a number. It was a number on the table for them for Usman to extend the contract, but the number I thought was a fair number, and they choose not to,” Abdelaziz said. “Usman took a risk. He could have went out there and lost.”
USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV JUST KNOCKED OUT ARCHIE COLGAN IN THE FIRST ROUND
HOLY SH*T 🤯 pic.twitter.com/F5pqu1Q8bs
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 1, 2026
PFL Retains Negotiation Rights
Despite becoming a free agent, Nurmagomedov cannot immediately sign elsewhere. Abdelaziz confirmed that PFL has 90 days of exclusive negotiation rights with the fighter.
“In the next 90 days, they have an exclusive negotiation,” Abdelaziz said. “And after that, I’m going to talk to other people, and we’ll figure it out.”
The manager praised PFL executives Mike Kogan and John Martin for their work in the sport. He said the promotion has given many fighters opportunities and deserves more credit for their efforts.
Abdelaziz said the decision about Nurmagomedov’s future will involve multiple people. The fighter himself must approve any deal, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman’s cousin and advisor, must also sign off.
UFC CEO Dana White appeared to hint at a done deal when asked about Nurmagomedov after UFC Belgrade. White smiled when questioned about the UFC’s interest in the undefeated champion.
However, Abdelaziz said that characterization is not accurate. “Right now it’s not like 100 percent he’s leaving going to the UFC. It doesn’t work like that,” he explained.
Manager Predicts Victory Over Topuria
Abdelaziz made a prediction about how Nurmagomedov would fare against Ilia Topuria. Topuria recently lost his undefeated record when Justin Gaethje stopped him in the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250.
“I told everyone before that Justin Gaethje would beat Ilia Topuria,” Abdelaziz wrote on social media. “And I’m telling you today: Usman Nurmagomedov will stop Ilia Topuria within four rounds.”
Abdelaziz manages both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov through his company Dominance MMA. The manager has a history of making predictions about his fighters’ performances.
The situation mirrors what happened with Kayla Harrison, another Abdelaziz client who left PFL for the UFC. Harrison re-signed with PFL multiple times before the promotion eventually wished her well and allowed her to leave.
Abdelaziz said the same could happen with Nurmagomedov. “They might say, ‘We want to wish Usman the best of luck,’ and Usman can go somewhere else, right?” he said.
PFL is currently going through a merger with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Abdelaziz said nothing has changed in the promotion’s structure despite the merger, and PFL remains PFL.
The 28-year-old Nurmagomedov holds the PFL lightweight championship. He has never lost a professional fight in his career, which includes 22 victories across multiple promotions.
