Usman Nurmagomedov is currently one of the biggest free agents in the MMA world. For the unversed, the reigning PFL champion is reportedly considering a move to the UFC after revealing that he turned down a massive $2 million-per-fight offer from his current promotion.
The 28-year-old reportedly rejected the deal to wait out the 90-day exclusive negotiation window and see what other promotions could offer him. Over the past couple of months, there have also been several signs that a UFC move could become a reality.
Nurmagomedov has recently posted footage from UFC gyms and was spotted at UFC 330 alongside Hunter Campbell when Islam Makhachev registered his 17th straight Octagon win. His appearance at the event only added more fuel to the speculation surrounding a potential move to the promotion.
And even though he is not officially a UFC fighter yet, the Dagestani has already weighed in on three of the biggest names in the lightweight division.
Usman Nurmagomedov Weighs In on Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan Ahead of UFC Move
The 22-0 fighter recently sat down for an interview with Kamil Gadzhiev, where he discussed the box-office value of Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett. Gadzhiev asked Nurmagomedov about potentially entering the UFC with a No. 1 contender fight against Tsarukyan, assuming Justin Gaethje remains champion, or potentially getting a direct lightweight title shot against the Armenian.
Gadzhiev first asked whether the UFC would actually book Nurmagomedov against Tsarukyan if the Armenian was the champion. The Dagestani replied, “They could, because who would you match up Arman against? Who’s there for Arman in the UFC?”
Nurmagomedov then dismissed the idea of Topuria being a legitimate threat to Tsarukyan and argued that the UFC would have already booked the matchup if the promotion believed the Spaniard had even a 30% chance of winning.
He said, “Pimblett? No. Topuria? No. If Topuria were a real option, they would have matched them up a long time ago. If they gave him just a 30% chance to beat Arman, they would do it. But as long as Topuria is a cash cow, he brings them golden eggs.”
The Dagestani then explained why a fight between himself and Tsarukyan could be a massive attraction for the UFC. He claimed, “Pimblett is their favorite and a fan favorite too. Although he got his face messed up by Gaethje not long ago. In terms of headlines and as a money fight, Usman Nurmagomedov against any UFC fighter is a good one. And against Arman… it’s a big money fight.”
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Tsarukyan recently strengthened his case for a major fight when he knocked out Mauricio Ruffy in the opening round at UFC 331. The Armenian has also been calling for a fight with Gaethje for some time, and even Dana White appears to have changed his tune regarding Tsarukyan’s chances of eventually capturing the 155-pound gold.
If Tsarukyan gets his title shot next and beats Gaethje, assuming the American returns, a blockbuster matchup with a debuting Nurmagomedov could be an intriguing possibility. However, there is also a chance that Topuria could get an immediate rematch with Gaethje, leaving Nurmagomedov to face Tsarukyan in a title eliminator or another top contender such as Max Holloway or Salahdine Parnasse to establish himself in the UFC lightweight division.
Of course, all of that remains hypothetical for now, considering Nurmagomedov is still not officially signed to the UFC.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
