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Khabib Nurmagomedov's Undefeated Cousin Usman Is a Free Agent, and His Team Already Wants Ilia Topuria

Khabib Nurmagomedov's Undefeated Cousin Usman Is a Free Agent, and His Team Already Wants Ilia Topuria

The 90-day exclusive negotiating window between Usman Nurmagomedov and the PFL has officially expired, making the undefeated lightweight champion one of MMA’s most sought-after free agents.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 29
Usman Nurmagomedov begins negotiations with UFC with him now officially a free agent

Usman Nurmagomedov begins negotiations with UFC with him now officially a free agent

Usman Nurmagomedov’s 90-day exclusivity period with PFL/MVP MMA is now over and he is free to begin talks with other promotions. This past July, Usman Nurmagomedov fought the final fight of his PFL contract when he knocked out Archie Colgan in the first round of their PFL New York clash.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 25
Khabib Nurmagomedov sparks comeback rumors by ‘accidentally meeting’ UFC boss Hunter Campbell

Khabib Nurmagomedov sparks comeback rumors by ‘accidentally meeting’ UFC boss Hunter Campbell

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s latest post on social media has excited MMA fans. ‘The Eagle’ retired after choking out Justin Gaethje to unify the lightweight division at UFC 254 in October 2020.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 10

PFL Africa contender Patrick Ocheme has plans to end Usman Nurmagomedov’s unbeaten reign

Patrick Ocheme has plans to climb the PFL ranks and eventually become the man to overthrow Usman Nurmagomedov. Nigerian lightweight prospect Ocheme takes on his countryman Cornel Thompson in the PFL Africa semi-finals in Casablanca on Saturday night.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 7
Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan: Why Usman Nurmagomedov thinks the UFC hasn’t booked it

Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan: Why Usman Nurmagomedov thinks the UFC hasn’t booked it

Usman Nurmagomedov thinks a huge lightweight fight would have happened if the UFC had enough belief in Ilia Topuria. The PFL lightweight champion is rumored to be signing with the UFC after fighting out his contract this past August.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / October 2
Van, Nurmagomedov Lead ESPN's MMA 30 Under 30

Van, Nurmagomedov Lead ESPN's MMA 30 Under 30

Joshua Van and Usman Nurmagomedov top ESPN's 2026 MMA 30 Under 30 rankings, according to a list published Tuesday that features a mix of reigning titleholders, former champions and rising contenders.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 1
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov outgrappling 11-0 lightweight star years after his MMA retirement

Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov outgrappling 11-0 lightweight star years after his MMA retirement

It does not look like ‘The Eagle’ has lost a step. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s mixed martial arts career came to an end six years ago, as the legendary former UFC lightweight champion left the game on top.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 28
Kamaru Usman says Khabib Nurmagomedov will agree with his take on the ‘top dog’ outside of the UFC

Kamaru Usman says Khabib Nurmagomedov will agree with his take on the ‘top dog’ outside of the UFC

Kamaru Usman has insisted that UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov would be on the same wavelength as him about one of the biggest MMA stars on the planet. Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is regarded as one of the best-ever, has remained ever-present in the world of MMA after the end of his prolific fighting career in 2020.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 25

Usman Nurmagomedov shares encouraging update about Umar Nurmagomedov following knockout loss

Usman Nurmagomedov has shared some positive words and has given an encouraging update regarding Umar Nurmagomedov‘s future. At UFC Shanghai, on enemy territory, Umar was knocked out for the first time in his career.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 17
UFC cuts protege who Khabib Nurmagomedov tipped to become the ‘best in the world’ after 0-2 run

UFC cuts protege who Khabib Nurmagomedov tipped to become the ‘best in the world’ after 0-2 run

Things did not go to plan for Saygid Izagakhmaev in the UFC. MMA’s leading promotion has been on a steady wave of roster removals in 2026, as the UFC clears room for the new signings currently arriving via Dana White’s Contender Series.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 16
Usman Nurmagomedov would be

Usman Nurmagomedov would be "regular" without Khabib and Islam Makhachev, claims Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan argues that Usman Nurmagomedov owes his fame and status entirely to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Usman has been a revelation in both Bellator and the PFL.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 11
Usman Nurmagomedov's Future

Usman Nurmagomedov's Future

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is backing his cousin and longtime teammate Usman Nurmagomedov to eventually sign with the UFC, putting the odds at 90 percent.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 10

Makhachev: 90% Chance Usman Nurmagomedov Signs With UFC

Usman Nurmagomedov's tenure with the PFL appears to be nearing its end, with UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev now weighing in on his teammate's future.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 9
Makhachev On Nurmagomedov's PFL Exit

Makhachev On Nurmagomedov's PFL Exit

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says his teammate Usman Nurmagomedov will almost certainly leave the Professional Fighters League for the UFC.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 9
Islam Makhachev provides fresh update on Usman Nurmagomedov’s potential UFC signing

Islam Makhachev provides fresh update on Usman Nurmagomedov’s potential UFC signing

Islam Makhachev is almost certain that his teammate will be linking up with him in the UFC. Earlier this year, Usman Nurmagomedov fought in the final fight of his PFL contract when he knocked out Archie Colgan in the PFL New York main event.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 5
MMA champion makes his case for a UFC move with ‘pretzel’ submission that baffled commentators

MMA champion makes his case for a UFC move with ‘pretzel’ submission that baffled commentators

Usman Nurmagomedov is not the only lightweight champion the UFC may have their eyes on. The Dagestani is widely seen as the hottest free agent in MMA after fighting out his PFL contract a few weeks ago.

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MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 4
Cejudo On PFL's Survival Without Nurmagomedov

Cejudo On PFL's Survival Without Nurmagomedov

Henry Cejudo believes the PFL faces an existential threat if they lose Usman Nurmagomedov in free agency. Nurmagomedov's contract expired after his first-round knockout of Archie Colgan at PFL New York in July, per MMA Fighting, making the undefeated Dagestani lightweight one of the sport's hottest free agents.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 3
Cejudo Names Nurmagomedov Toughest Gaethje Matchup

Cejudo Names Nurmagomedov Toughest Gaethje Matchup

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo believes free agent Usman Nurmagomedov would give lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje more problems than any other contender in the division.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / September 3
'I Still Punched Him': Song Yadong Admits Guilt in Usman Nurmagomedov Altercation After Knocking Out Umar

'I Still Punched Him': Song Yadong Admits Guilt in Usman Nurmagomedov Altercation After Knocking Out Umar

Things got wild after UFC Shanghai last Saturday, but Song Yadong isn’t holding a grudge against Usman Nurmagomedov. After knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event, the ‘Kung Fu Kid’ says he understands why Usman came charging into the Octagon, even if things got a little chaotic.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / September 2
Dana White Breaks Silence on Usman Nurmagomedov’s Rule Violation at UFC Shanghai

Dana White Breaks Silence on Usman Nurmagomedov’s Rule Violation at UFC Shanghai

Last week, Usman Nurmagomedov’s emotions got the better of him at UFC Shanghai. His older brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, suffered the first knockout loss of his career against Song Yadong in the second round of their main event bout, prompting an emotionally charged Usman to hop the cage.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 30

Usman Nurmagomedov Fires Back After UFC Shanghai Cage Incident

Usman Nurmagomedov has pushed back against criticism of his actions after brother Umar's knockout loss at UFC Shanghai on Saturday. The PFL lightweight champion was cornering Umar when Song Yadong stopped the previously unbeaten bantamweight in the second round.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / August 30
Usman Nurmagomedov Explains His Controversial Reaction After Umar's Knockout at UFC Shanghai

Usman Nurmagomedov Explains His Controversial Reaction After Umar's Knockout at UFC Shanghai

Usman Nurmagomedov has issued a fiery response to the widespread criticism he received following his actions after his brother Umar Nurmagomedov was knocked

MMA News / Field Level Media / August 29
Home hero Song Yadong upsets Umar Nurmagomedov

Home hero Song Yadong upsets Umar Nurmagomedov

Chinese bantamweight Song Yadong thrilled the home crowd with a stunning upset of Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Shanghai.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 29

Usman Nurmagomedov Reveals He Turned Down PFL Offer

Usman Nurmagomedov says he's rejected a $2 million contract offer from the PFL as he weighs his future beyond the promotion's exclusive 90-day negotiating window, which began after he finished his current deal with a knockout of Archie Colgan in July.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 21

Martin Denies Nurmagomedov Left PFL

PFL CEO John Martin shot down reports that lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has left for the UFC. Nurmagomedov finished Archie Colgan in the first round at PFL New York last month, completing the final fight on his current deal.

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