Summary
Khabib celebrates Usman's victory in the PFL. Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images
PFL star Usman Nurmagomedov gave another indication that he may be making a move to the UFC. Last Friday (31), in New York (USA), the cousin of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov and lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) of the company destroyed Archie Colgan, Justin Gaethje 's training partner , and knocked him out in the first round. When celebrating the victory, Jake Paul , one of the organization's executives, provoked 'The Highlight', an attitude that the Russian disapproved of.
Present in the cage, Jake asked Usman how much he would like to receive to renew his contract with the PFL and not only stated that the fighter is the best lightweight in the world, but also predicted that he would easily beat the UFC champion. At that moment, the Russian, a PFL star, showed his displeasure with the YouTuber's attack and, in the post-event press conference, defended Gaethje and praised him.
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Furthermore, this wasn't the first time Khabib's cousin had turned against Jake. At the show, Usman, who fought the last fight under his PFL contract, demanded that the executive value the company's athletes and stated that he doesn't consider him a real fighter . Therefore, since he is managed by Ali Abdelaziz, the same agent as Gaethje, Usman avoided treating him as an opponent and instead referred to him as the number one fighter in the division.
“ When someone disrespects Gaethje, to be honest, that’s not good . Gaethje is a legend . He’s a true human standout . If I fight him, I’ll prepare very differently, but we don’t know if I’ll fight him,” said the star.
"That's a long story. I just want to say that I'm very happy that he's champion now and I wish him all the best . He's the best ," he concluded.
Watch Usman Nurmagomedov's knockout in the PFL
USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV WITH THE FIRST ROUND KO 😱 #PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/mikFN1ZLFx
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026
Usman's fighters in MMA
Usman Nurmagomedov , 28, is Khabib Nurmagomedov 's cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov 's younger brother , and a friend of Islam Makhachev . The Russian began his MMA career in 2017, is a former Bellator lightweight champion, and the current PFL champion.
In this discipline, the athlete built a perfect record consisting of 22 wins and one 'no contest' (fight with no result). His main victories were over Alexandr Shabliy, Archie Colgan, Ben Henderson , Patricky Pitbull , and Paul Hughes (twice).
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