The hottest free agent in the game has a name, and his name is Usman Nurmagomedov.
On Friday at PFL New York, Nurmagomedov (22-0) concluded his contract in emphatic fashion as he battered previously unbeaten Archie Colgan (13-1) and reclaimed his lightweight title in under four minutes.
Immediately, Jake Paul entered the cage, who is now at the helm of MVP-PFL alongside Nakisa Bidarian and John Martin. Nurmagomedov wasted no time in telling Paul it's time to put his money where his mouth has been.
"We'll see what's going on," Nurmagomedov said in the cage after the fight. "It was my last fight (on my contract). MVP, they always trash talk a little bit about Dana – he doesn't pay. Now we're going to see how they're going to pay."
Nurmagomedov, 28,
is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters outside the UFC and one of the faces of PFL. He was acquired years ago in the merger with Bellator, the brand which he developed under en route to becoming a star.
Usman Nurmagomedov reflects on his big win 💪#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/WizQIilJWe
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026
In an effort to maintain negotiation integrity, Nurmagomedov is keeping his cards close to his chest. He did, however, repeat one factor – perhaps the factor – that's serving as his guiding light: money. Legacy has nothing on it.
"Money, brother," Nurmagomedov said. "Why? Jake Paul talks about how Dana White doesn't pay his fighters, yes? OK, now he has chance to show how he pays people when they deserve it – 22-0, undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion in the world. What do you think? I'm deserved?
"... We keep doing legacy but money, brother. I have a family. Legacy doesn't pay checks. That's what I like. We'll see. I don't want to go ahead and say something, big words. Like I said, I have to talk with Khabib. I have to talk with my team, and then we'll make the decision. Right now, I cannot say something, 'I'm going to do this, do this,' because I can't. I have my team."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: MVP or UFC, free agent Usman Nurmagomedov says it's time for someone to pay up
