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

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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.

Dana White had the biggest smile on his face
when asked about signing Usman
Nurmagomedov 😭

“Sure.” pic.twitter.com/5hTcA4lvf8

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
August 1, 2026

🚨 Khabib on Usman
Nurmagomedov’s future 👀

“Usman has shown and proven over the last couple of years that he
is the best lightweight outside the UFC. 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… https://t.co/EAaGN086db pic.twitter.com/4DYLQ0XjNf

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
August 1, 2026

Real American Freestyle continues to bolster its growing roster of

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.

Shara Magomedov is RAF 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qqgpSvOdr4

— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA)
July 31, 2026

Josh
Hokit and Jake Paul are
going back and forth on social media.

Paul recently attracted Hokit's attention by challenging NFL
players. The YouTuber-turned-boxer believes no NFL player can
outbox him in the squared circle. However, he's confident he can
catch a touchdown pass without any training.

Jake Paul offered $1M. This former NFL player had a
response

“The Problem Child†even offered $1 million to any NFL player who
can box him better than he can run routes against them.

“Will pay any NFL player $1 million dollars if you can box me
better than I run routes against you Internet is judge. Will send
my jet to pick you up who's down?†Paul wrote on X.

“Not a single NFL player could last 2 rounds in a professional
boxing ring,†he wrote in another post. “Meanwhile I can catch a
touchdown pass tomorrow in the NFL with 0 training.â€

Former football player Hokit didn't let Paul's comments pass. “The
Incredible Hok†is confident that he can beat Paul not only in
boxing but in any sport in the world.

“With all due respect, [Jake Paul] Not only could I beat you in a
boxing match, I'd beat you in any sport under the sun,†Hokit
posted in response.

Paul believes Hokit is just trying to chase clout and is open to
boxing the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight in Puerto Rico.

“I see your hustle. You do your best to sell,†Paul responded. “If
you want to fly down to Puerto Rico and box – anytime I will gladly
embarrass you.â€

Hokit (10-0) originally looked to make a career in the NFL.
However, he went unpicked in the 2020 NFL draft before being signed
by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Hokit's NFL
career never took off and he transitioned to MMA soon after. He has
four UFC wins with three knockouts and three bonuses. The
undefeated heavyweight has also quickly grown in popularity with
his polarizing comments and antics.

Will pay any nfl player $1 million dollars
if you can box me better than I run routes against you

Internet is judge

Will send my jet to pick you up who's down?

— Jake
Paul (@jakepaul)
August 1, 2026

With all due respect, @jakepaul … Not
only could I beat you in a boxing match, I'd beat you in any sport
under the sun. 😊 https://t.co/8vxEZXhChk

— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC)
August 1, 2026

I see your hustle. You do your best to sell.
If you want to fly down to Puerto Rico and box – anytime I will
gladly embarrass you.

— Jake
Paul (@jakepaul)
August 1, 2026