Nurmagomedov's Manager Says PFL Rejected Contract Extension

Usman Nurmagomedov entered free agency after his PFL New York title defense because the promotion declined an extension offer, his manager says.

Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn that he proposed a figure to keep the undefeated lightweight champion under contract before the July 31 card, but the two sides never reached an agreement. Nurmagomedov went on to knock out Archie Colgan in the first round, capping his PFL deal with a dominant performance.

What Abdelaziz Said About PFL Contract Talks

"Listen, the truth of the matter is PFL had an opportunity to sign him before the fight," Abdelaziz said, per MMA Junkie. "I put a number. It was a number on the table for them for Usman to extend the contract, but the number I thought was a fair number, and they choose not to. Usman took a risk. He could have went out there and lost. Archie could have beat him. He took a risk. He gambled on himself, and he won."

Abdelaziz praised PFL president Mike Kogan and new executive John Martin but noted the organization passed on the opportunity to lock down Nurmagomedov before he became a free agent. The July 31 event marked PFL's first show since announcing a merger with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.

Dana White recently smiled and responded "sure" when asked if the UFC plans to sign Nurmagomedov. The 18-0 fighter's next contract could come from either the UFC or the newly merged PFL-MVP entity.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager reveals PFL could’ve extended deal prior to free agency: “They chose not to”