PFL Boss Denies Usman Nurmagomedov Has Left for UFC

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has not signed with the UFC and remains under an exclusive negotiating window with the promotion, according to PFL CEO John Martin. Martin pushed back directly on weeks of speculation that Nurmagomedov's move to the UFC was already done.

Nurmagomedov closed out his PFL contract nearly three weeks ago, finishing Archie Colgan with strikes in the first round at PFL New York. That result made him a free agent the moment the final bell rang, and the guessing game about his next promotion started almost immediately. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, Martin said the chatter has gotten ahead of the actual business.

"There is so much misinformation," Martin said. "The UFC has not given him an offer. They're not legally allowed to. We have an exclusive negotiating period. We're putting together an offer, and we're going to sit down and talk with them. I think our offer will be competitive. It's really up to him."

What Martin Actually Said About Usman Nurmagomedov's Status

Martin's core point is that no offer exists yet, from either side, because PFL still holds an exclusive negotiating period with its champion. He said the promotion plans to present its own competitive offer before any decision gets made. Martin also pushed back on the idea that Nurmagomedov's stock inside PFL was ever in doubt, noting he had been calling him one of the sport's best lightweights long before the UFC interest became public. He added that PFL would welcome Nurmagomedov staying long term, but framed the roster as deep enough to move on without him if he leaves.

Why the UFC Interest Won't Go Away

Nurmagomedov has become one of the most talked about free agents in MMA regardless of what Martin says publicly. He was shown on the crowd cam during UFC 330 with the broadcast referring to him as the final Bellator lightweight champion, a clear signal of how badly the UFC wants him in the building. UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has already pegged Nurmagomedov as the next lightweight champion to come out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov fighting tree, which only adds fuel to a move that hasn't officially happened. Money is the real hurdle. Nurmagomedov is reportedly paid well by PFL, and his management has indicated he won't take a pay cut to jump ship, a stance that puts real pressure on both sides to get a number right rather than rush a deal.

Nurmagomedov is 22-0-1, with the lone mark on his record a win over Brent Primus that was changed to a no contest after a failed drug test his team attributed to a prescribed medication. That resume, four straight headline slots since PFL absorbed Bellator, is exactly why neither side wants to negotiate from a weak position.

Betting Angle

There's no fight to price here yet since Nurmagomedov isn't signed anywhere new, but the free agency drama is worth watching for anyone who bets lightweight futures. If he lands in the UFC, expect him to debut as a heavy favorite against almost anyone outside the current top five given his finishing rate and unbeaten record. Until a contract is announced, though, treat any market talk about his next fight as premature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Usman Nurmagomedov signed with the UFC?

No. PFL CEO John Martin said Usman Nurmagomedov has not signed with the UFC and that the UFC cannot legally make him an offer while PFL holds an exclusive negotiating period.

What is Usman Nurmagomedov's current MMA record?

Usman Nurmagomedov is 22-0-1, with his only blemish a win over Brent Primus that was overturned to a no contest after a failed drug test.

How did Usman Nurmagomedov become a free agent?

Usman Nurmagomedov fulfilled his PFL contract by finishing Archie Colgan with strikes in the first round at PFL New York, making him a free agent.