Usman Nurmagomedov will fulfill the final fight on his current contract at PFL Long Island, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated free agencies in recent MMA history.
Undefeated reigning PFL lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (21-0) will meet Archie Colgan (13-0) in the main event of the July 31 card at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, N.Y. (ESPN). It’s a massive moment for him, because it will set the stage for the next chapter of his career.
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Nurmagomedov’s potential free agency has been a major talking point for several months. It’s now approaching reality, and although Nurmagomedov has nothing but praise for what PFL has done to him, he expects his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, of Dominance MMA, to survey the entire landscape.
“I did already 12 fights in Bellator and PFL and I’m very thankful for that,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “I love it. We have really good relationship with the team from PFL. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. If we talk about today, I didn’t sign nothing. I have one fight left – this fight. Then we’ll see.
“I don’t have any problem to stay with PFL. I love PFL and let’s see. Let’s see if I will show my best performance. I think a lot of people will be interested in me. First of all, it’s going to be PFL. I cannot say something now because this is Ali’s job. I think he’s going to figure it out. … I will go out and do my job and if somebody going to pay me good money, we will stay there.”
Nurmagomedov must first focus on Colgan, who also brings an unblemished record into the cage and will be hunting for a significant upset.
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“Archie Colgan, this guy is short and strong guy,” Nurmagomedov said. “I know I was watching when I was fighting last time with Paul Hughes. He was on the same card as me and he fight with Jay Jay Wilson. But Jay Jay Wilson is not even close to our level. He showed good performance. I know he’s going to be next and I was waiting for them to call me.”
If Nurmagomedov is able to defeat Colgan, and do so in style, it would bolster his value and make him a prized possession for any promotion. He’s currently No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, and if he wants to climb any higher, it’s likely he will have to join the UFC and further prove himself against names above him, which include Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje.
Nurmagomedov is not oblivious to the massive fights that could await him on the other side, but said it’s on the UFC to make it worth his while.
“Ilia, can you imagine this guy? He’s (short). I’m 184 (inches), and he’s one (inch),” Nurmagomedov said. “If I will fight with him or with this Ireland guy (Conor McGregor). Everybody going to watch both of this fight, and they will wait.”
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To hear more from Nurmagomedov, check out his complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL champ Usman Nurmagomedov considers UFC move in looming free agency
