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Usman Nurmagomedov becomes a free agent as his PFL exclusive negotiating window ends

His manager Ali Abdelaziz says he turned down a $2 million PFL offer after his final fight, and his team wants Ilia Topuria for a UFC debut.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published · AI-assisted reporting
Dana White on Usman Nurmagomedov: we will start talking with him
Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Usman Nurmagomedov is free to negotiate with the UFC and any other promotion after his 90-day exclusive negotiating period with PFL/MVP MMA came to an end.

The 28-year-old unbeaten lightweight fought the last bout of his PFL contract in July, when he knocked out Archie Colgan in the first round at PFL New York.

According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, PFL decided against signing him before that fight once it saw the figure he wanted. After the win, PFL offered him $2 million, which he rejected because he is looking for more.

His team wants him to make his UFC debut against Ilia Topuria, which they believe would earn him a title fight with a win.

Nurmagomedov was at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, but UFC boss Dana White played down his attendance. White said he was not aware of any talks with him and added that "when his contract is up and he can negotiate, we will start talking with him."

In this story
Ilia Topuria
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Sources