Nurmagomedov Ignores UFC Rumors, Focuses on PFL Title Fight

Usman Nurmagomedov stands as one of PFL's most dominant fighters, yet much like his coach and cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov, he will always face stylistic matchups that could expose a perceived vulnerability.

Throughout Khabib's illustrious career, the persistent question lingered: "What if he encounters a dominant wrestler?" The former UFC lightweight champion answered definitively, retiring with a perfect 29-0 record before transitioning to coaching.

Now, it's Usman's turn to provide his own answers as he prepares for another title defense against former collegiate wrestler and top lightweight contender Archie Colgan. However, don't expect the reigning PFL champion to show any apprehension towards a wrestling-heavy opponent.

"He's a short, awkward fighter," Nurmagomedov stated about Colgan to MMA Fighting. "He wrestles very well, but I'm from Dagestan. I can wrestle, I can grapple, I can do Muay Thai. I can do everything. Whatever he competes with me in, I will be better. I have full respect for Archie and his team, but he won't win."

"I don't think he'll be able to take me down. Honestly, it's very difficult to take me down. I know how to fight against shorter fighters. I always enjoy facing such opponents. I have a longer reach and can control everything."

While the topic of wrestling inevitably arises frequently before the main event, Nurmagomedov is quick to remind everyone that they won't be participating in a wrestling match, but rather a fight.

He is confident in his ability to counter Colgan both on the feet and on the ground. And if people truly want to settle the debate of who the better wrestler is, he suggests there's another way to do it.

"I think I'll grapple with him," Nurmagomedov declared. "I believe I can take him down. My wrestling isn't bad. We can do it that way too. I'll beat him or knock him down. I know I'll defeat this man. If people want to see who's better at wrestling, we can do it in the RAF."

Nurmagomedov hopes Colgan can bring out the best in him, as that's precisely what he seeks every time he defends his title.

"I believe I have immense potential," Nurmagomedov said. "I have very big ambitions. I just need someone against whom I can show that to people."

As for the future, Nurmagomedov will undoubtedly be bombarded with questions about what's next, as he's set to compete in Friday's PFL gala event in the final bout of his current contract.

Significant speculation has emerged that he plans to leave PFL and sign with the UFC, especially after his teammate and friend Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight division and moved to welterweight.

Nurmagomedov has yet to make a decision and is trying his best to ignore all rumors until after his upcoming fight.

He knows that distraction is the surest path to failure if he doesn't focus all his attention on Colgan and the battle immediately before him.

"Archie is undefeated," Nurmagomedov said. "You can't stay undefeated for a long time if you're not among the top five. That's why he's the No. 1 contender and, of course, he wants to take everything I have."

"I don't want to look ahead and think about the future of my career. I have a fight. I have an opponent with a name. We will fight. I have a bout and I need to do my job."