Usman Nurmagomedov makes a stunning $2 million-per-fight PFL claim before potential UFC entry
Usman Nurmagomedov has made a major claim about his PFL negotiations as fans speculate regarding his possible UFC signing.
Usman Nurmagomedov has suggested that he turned down a mammoth offer from the PFL.
His claim comes at a time when there's widespread speculation surrounding which MMA organization he'll join next after having recently completed the final fight of his PFL contract.
Usman Nurmagomedov talks turning down multi-million-dollar PFL offer as rumors swirl about his UFC entry
Speaking to Sport24, Usman Nurmagomedov, in a Russian-language interview, has opened up on multiple topics. The Dagestani combatant last competed at PFL New York on July 31, knocking out the previously undefeated Archie Colgan in the very first round.
The win not only helped Nurmagomedov successfully defend his PFL lightweight championship, but also enabled him to fight out of his old deal with the organization. The PFL still has a 90-day exclusive negotiation window with him, dating back to his aforementioned fight.
Currently, there are 63 more days to go before he's legally permitted to negotiate with other mixed martial arts organizations, including the UFC, which is where most fans and experts foresee him heading soon. Even UFC CEO and president Dana White recently hinted that they're interested in procuring Nurmagomedov's services.
Nurmagomedov alluded to the same and stated, "Negotiations with the PFL are still ongoing. 90 days have to pass. After that, we'll see."
🚨 Usman Nurmagomedov reveals he’s turned down an offer from the PFL worth OVER $2 MILLION per fight 😳
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 27, 2026
“Negotiations with the PFL are still ongoing. 90 days have to pass. After that, we’ll see... But I have turned down $2 million.
When we made our request for a… pic.twitter.com/jlsaKea5jL
Furthermore, the 28-year-old seemingly made a stunning claim about having previously declined a $2 million-per-fight PFL offer. He indicated that the next offer was even higher than that but hasn't resulted in his re-signing with them as of yet.
Nurmagomedov said, "But I have (previously) turned down $2 million." He added, "When we made our request for a new contract, the numbers were different. Higher (than $2 million)." (*H/T @ChampRDS on X via Sport24 for the translated quotes)
Watch the Russian-language interview featuring Usman Nurmagomedov addressing his MMA future below (*comments at the 4:03-minute mark of the video):
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Ilia Topuria could be on the cards with his potential UFC signing
Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has shared an intense rivalry with ex-UFC lightweight champ and reigning UFC welterweight kingpin Islam Makhachev. Also, "El Matador" is someone whom Makhachev's training partner, Usman Nurmagomedov, feels he'd handily beat.
It's well-known that Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdelaziz has, in the recent past, affirmed that they'd surely lobby for a fight against Topuria. That grudge match could be a realistic possibility if Nurmagomedov does choose to sign with the UFC.
The unbeaten MMA star boasts the distinction of having reigned as the final Bellator MMA lightweight champion. He's also the inaugural PFL MMA lightweight titlist. Speaking of which, given the recent PFL merger with the Jake Paul-founded MVP MMA organization, the belief is that the PFL (which would be fully rebranded as MVP MMA in 2027) would be keen on getting him to sign with them rather than head over to the UFC.
Meanwhile, a number of fans and experts have called upon Usman Nurmagomedov to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother, UFC bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov, and join the UFC. Many have predicted a possible UFC lightweight title shot in his promotional debut, or at the very least in his second Octagon appearance.
The consensus is that Nurmagomedov possesses the skill and will to notch the UFC lightweight championship; some even tout him as the favorite in a hypothetical clash against reigning UFC 155-pound kingpin Justin Gaethje.
Usman Nurmagomedov could, thereby, join the likes of Dagestani greats, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, who've captured UFC gold.
