Unbeaten Usman Nurmagomedov hits free agency as PFL negotiating window ends

Usman Nurmagomedov, the unbeaten PFL lightweight champion, became free to negotiate with any promotion on Thursday, October 29, MMA Junkie reported. The PFL's 90-day exclusive negotiating window ran out that day. He hasn't signed anywhere, and no outlet has reported a UFC offer.

The 28-year-old is 22-0 with one no contest. MMA Sucka also reported on Thursday that his exclusive period with the PFL had expired. MMA Junkie wrote that he reportedly turned down a new PFL offer during the window. The PFL hasn't confirmed that.

How he got here

The window opened with his last fight, a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan at PFL New York on July 31. That was the final bout on his contract, as PFL CEO John Martin told Heavy in June. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie in August that he offered the PFL an extension number before that fight and it said no. "PFL had an opportunity to sign him before the fight," he said.

Martin said the UFC was "not legally allowed to" make an offer while the PFL had its exclusive period, Boxing News reported on August 19. MMA Junkie calls what ended on Thursday a matching-rights period. None of the sources we read say whether the PFL can still match an outside offer.

"Legacy doesn't pay check," Usman said after the Colgan win, per Boxing News. He told Sport24 that he had turned down $2 million and wanted more, MMA Sucka reported on August 27, translating the interview. He didn't say when that offer was made.

The UFC's side

"When he's a free agent, and he's able to talk to us, we're interested," Dana White told The National on Saturday, October 24, in Abu Dhabi. Asked whether talks had started, he said, "Not that I'm aware of," Heavy reported. Usman watched that night's UFC 333 card from the front row.

The links to the UFC run through his family and gym. His cousin Khabib is one of his main coaches, his brother Umar fights in the UFC, and teammate Islam Makhachev is the UFC welterweight champion.

He has already made UFC headlines once this year. At UFC Shanghai on August 29, Song Yadong knocked Umar out in the second round. Umar closed at −670, an 83% favourite (our page). Usman rushed in to check on his brother and appeared to swing an elbow toward Song, according to ESPN.

White later agreed he had crossed the line, per MMA Sucka. Song defended him, saying Usman likely reacted on instinct, according to the same report. We found no UFC sanction and no statement from Usman.

Where he would fit at 155

He won the Bellator title in 2022 and defended it against Benson Henderson, Alexandr Shabliy and Paul Hughes. A 2023 decision over Brent Primus became a no contest after he tested positive for a banned substance in a prescription drug. The commission called it accidental, and he kept the title (record). He beat Hughes again in October 2025 for the PFL's first lightweight title.

The UFC champion at 155 is out for the year, and may not come back. Justin Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria on June 14 to become undisputed champion. In August he said both hands are still hurt, he won't fight again in 2026, and he is weighing whether to vacate and retire. Arman Tsarukyan, who stopped Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on September 19, says Gaethje is next. The UFC hasn't confirmed that.

Usman has said he doesn't need "a warm-up fight," according to MMA Sucka. If he signs, we think a ranked contender is more likely than a title shot. Tsarukyan is first in line by his own account, and Gaethje's future is unclear.

The PFL, now merged with Jake Paul's MVP, said in August that it wanted to keep him, Yardbarker reported. Abdelaziz said that month that it was "not like 100 percent" that Usman would go to the UFC. MMA Sucka reported in September that Usman planned to decide by the end of October.