Overview
- Islam Makhachev told interviewer Adam Zubayraev on June 20–21 that the UFC typically pays less than the PFL and that Nurmagomedov could earn roughly half his current PFL purse if he signed with the UFC.
- Usman Nurmagomedov is the unbeaten PFL lightweight champion and will defend his title against Archie Colgan on July 31 at UBS Arena, after which his current contract ends and he will be a hot free agent.
- PFL CEO John Martin has said the promotion wants to keep Nurmagomedov but has not opened serious new contract talks and would not block a move if the fighter chooses to leave.
- Makhachev is urging Nurmagomedov to join the UFC for tougher competition while also preparing to defend his own UFC title on August 15 and expanding business interests outside fighting.
- The choice facing Nurmagomedov is a tradeoff between higher immediate pay in the PFL and the UFC’s deeper competition and legacy-building opportunities, a split that could reshape free-agent bidding and how non‑UFC champions value offers going forward.