Nurmagomedov Gambled On Himself After PFL Exit

Undefeated lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov finished out his PFL contract without signing fresh terms, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz, who told MMA Junkie the promotion had the chance to lock him down before his final bout but did not.

Nurmagomedov walked away from PFL New York on July 31 with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan and a 22-0 record, having chosen to enter the cage without a new deal. "Usman took a risk," Abdelaziz said. "He could have went out there and lost. Archie could have beaten him. He took a risk. He gambled on himself and he won."

What Comes Next For Nurmagomedov

The PFL holds a 90-day exclusive negotiating period following Nurmagomedov's last fight, per Abdelaziz, after which the team will explore other options. UFC president Dana White has previously suggested interest in the lightweight, though Abdelaziz downplayed any certainty around a move to the promotion.

"It's not like 100% he's leaving and going to the UFC. It doesn't work like that," Abdelaziz said. "It has to be a lot of decisions. I have to negotiate, he has to like it, Khabib has to sign off on it and this is how we work."

The next three months will determine whether Nurmagomedov remains with PFL or tests the open market. The exclusive window expires in early November.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Usman Nurmagomedov bet on himself; now the UFC question begins