Usman Nurmagomedov's potential PFL exit could create a void no other fighter can easily fill

Usman Nurmagomedov finished up his PFL contract in suitably dramatic fashion last month.

With free agency looming, the undefeated champion dropped Archie Colgan with a head kick before finishing him with a series of uppercuts in the main event of PFL New York. It was mere moments before he found himself circled by suitors, with Jake Paul chief among them, just days after MVP's merger with PFL was announced.

"He's the best in the f***ing world," Paul said of Nurmagomedov, even as he was loudly booed by the Long Island crowd. "Justin Gaethje is over there. Honestly, I think he would make light work of Gaethje."

Nurmagomedov, in his remarks, opted to play things close to the vest in the wake of the industry shake-up.

"It was my last fight [on my contract]," Nurmagomedov said. "MVP, they always trash talks a little bit about Dana [White] — he doesn't pay. Now we're going to see how they're going to pay."

Although there has been no formal announcement, within the industry the feeling is that Nurmagomedov's UFC signing is all but done. If those indications turn out to be true, PFL and MVP will struggle to replace not only its pound-for-pound best fighter, but a pillar of the promotion's lucrative Middle East expansion.

In November 2024, a multiyear deal signed with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council called for the PFL's brightest star to light up the state-of-the-art, 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena.

After his cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, became such a successful focal point of UFC's Abu Dhabi efforts, Usman fit the bill perfectly for the PFL's Dubai deal. Dubai wanted big championship events to draw the attention of the world, and a new challenge for Nurmagomedov in the shape of Ireland's Paul Hughes helped achieve that.

The two met in the first Dubai PFL Champion Series on Jan. 25, 2025 — arguably the greatest PFL fight to date — with Nurmagomedov edging out "Big News" in an epic back-and-forth bout. Their rematch, another centerpiece for the Dubai deal, happened nine months later with Nurmagomedov clinching victory again. His last Dubai showcase came earlier this year when he stopped Alfie Davis in the third round with an arm triangle choke.

Although Nurmagomedov's dispatch of Colgan took place in the U.S., PFL is well aware of his value as a figure who can help deliver marquee events that are equal to its Middle Eastern partners' ambitions. All three of PFL's major shows in Dubai have been headlined by Nurmagomedov.

On Wednesday's episode of "The Ariel Helwani Show", PFL CEO John Martin dismissed the idea that Nurmagomedov's UFC signing was a foregone conclusion.

"The UFC has not given him an offer," Martin told Helwani. "They're not legally allowed to. So we have an exclusive negotiating period. We're putting together an offer and we're gonna sit and we're gonna talk to him. I think our offer will be competitive. It's really up to him. We would love to keep him."

Martin and MVP will endeavor to tempt Nurmagomedov with a substantial contract, but based on what we know about Team Khabib and his charges from Dagestan, cementing one's legacy is often the primary drive for them.

A quick look at PFL's lightweight rankings suggests Nurmagomedov has effectively cleaned out the division, having already defeated three of the top four fighters in the standings. The only other fighter in the mix is a training partner of his, Gadzhi Rabadanov, making it an unlikely matchup should Nurmagomedov commit his future to the organization.

One thing PFL has done very well is sign meaningful talent to cater for the regions it frequents. While Nurmagomedov became the draw for Dubai, Hughes proved a smashing success in Belfast. To add to that, Cedric Doumbé brought numbers comparable to UFC's when he landed in Paris' Accor Arena in 2024.

Patrick Habirora has been the breakout star of the organization over the last 12 months, drawing big crowds for the promotion in France and Belgium. Habirora could be deemed a good fit for the Middle Eastern market with charismatic pre-fight chatter and spectacular striking. He already boasts a loyal fanbase, but placing him in Dubai will test whether they are willing to travel to support their man.

With the undefeated prospect's most recent victory coming against 42-year-old Benson Henderson, it's unlikely he will be fulfilling the championship narrative Dubai prioritized on entering the partnership with PFL. Although he could grow into challenger status in the not too distant future, it seems any placement on a Dubai card would be to support a title showdown.

Another undefeated fighter training under Khabib Nurmagomedov, Amru Magomedov, looks to be the latest off the Dagestan conveyor belt destined for glory. His spellbinding performance on the same card Usman signed off on spotlighted the wealth of talent the legendary UFC champion continues to nurture in his mountainous stronghold.

For now, we'll have to wait and see if Martin, MVP and PFL can present the lightweight champion with an offer that will secure his services for the promotion's new era. For now, keeping Nurmagomedov in the PFL ranks looks like an uphill battle — though big numbers on a contract have been known to level uneven ground before.