Usman Nurmagomedov is now MMA's most prized free agent. | 📷: PFL
MMA

Usman
Nurmagomedov has emerged as the most sought-after free agent in
mixed martial arts after completing his contract with the
Professional Fighters League.

Comments from
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana
White and Usman's cousin, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib
Nurmagomedov, suggest his next move could be unveiled soon.

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals negotiations on Usman
Nurmagomedov's future will commence ‘soon'

Nurmagomedov further extended his perfect record and added to his
value as a free agent with his dominant victory over Archie
Colgan at
PFL New York. While a UFC move is rumored, re-signing with the
PFL could be a possibility amid the promotion's merger with

Most Valuable Promotions.

Notably, PFL CEO John Martin and MVP co-founder Jake Paul
have publicly expressed their desire to retain the undefeated
lightweight champion. However, when asked about Usman following

UFC Belgrade, White confirmed the UFC's interest in the Russian
and later doubled down on the claim with a subtle hint in a social
media post, sharing a smiling emoji.

Khabib also weighed in on Usman's future. In an Instagram post, the
former UFC lightweight champion revealed that negotiations will be
held soon.

“Usman has shown and proven over the last couple of years that he
is the best lightweight outside the UFC,†Khabib wrote on
Instagram. “Not with words, but with his performances. When I said
in 2020 that Islam was the best at that time, there were many
people who disagreed. Believe me guys, there are levels to this
game. You will see for yourselves what happens next. There will be
negotiations over the next month, and very soon you will find out
for yourselves which league he will continue competing in.â€

An elite
middleweight clash headlines PFL Charlotte: Tune on Friday, Aug. 7
at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Ultimate Fighting Championship talent.

The freestyle wrestling promotion recently announced that
Sharabutdin “Shara Bullet” Magomedov has signed with RAF. He joins
other current UFC stars like Merab
Dvalishvili, Belal
Muhammad and Khamzat
Chimaev in joining the promotion.

Shara Bullet Magomedov becomes latest UFC fighter to join RAF
crossover wrestling

Magomedov's arrival at RAF comes after the promotion recently
introduced its crossover championship titles, allowing active MMA
fighters to compete for belts separate from the promotion’s elite
freestyle wrestlers.

Magomedov owns a 17-1 professional MMA record and has established
himself as a fan favorite in the UFC’s middleweight division. After
opening his career with 15 consecutive victories, “Shara Bullet”
suffered his first professional loss via decision to Michael
Page before rebounding with back-to-back wins over Michel
Pereira and Marc-Andre
Barriault.

The 31-year-old has also competed in grappling competitions outside
MMA, making the transition to RAF’s crossover format a natural fit.
He has previously faced Edson
Barboza and Arman
Tsarukyan on the mat.

RAF has continued to expand aggressively in recent months, adding
several recognizable UFC names while staging crossover events
featuring former champions and established contenders.

Prochazka (32-6) recently warned Costa (16-4) against tagging him
on social media or mentioning his name unless the Brazilian wants
to fight him. The former champ also claims the
Ultimate Fighting Championship has offered Costa a booking
against him for October or November and he's eager to take him
on.

Jiri Prochazka claims UFC offered Paulo Costa a light
heavyweight matchup

Costa has taken shots at fellow light heavyweight contenders ahead
of the final bout on his current contract. The former middleweight
title challenger criticized former champion Magomed
Ankalaev's performance at
UFC Abu Dhabi and also mocked Prochazka for his loss to current
titleholder Carlos
Ulberg.

Prochazka has now clapped back at “Borrachinha,†claiming that the
latter shouldn't mention his name unless they're actually slated to
fight. The Czech star added that the promotion has already offered
the fight to Costa.

“This is just a quick message for Paulo Costa,†Prochazka said on
Instagram. “Don't tag me, don't mention me in your posts. Because
you have a offer from UFC to fight me in October or November. And
if you don't want to fight me, don't mention me, don't speak about
me. I'm waiting for the contract for this fight.â€

The light heavyweight title picture is complicated by Ulberg's
injury, as the Kiwi champion is expected to be out until next year.
Ankalaev's lackluster win, Dana
White suggesting an interim title bout, Prochazka looking to
rebound from a frustrating loss and Costa eyeing the right matchup
to close out his contract have added to the drama at 205
pounds.