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.

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

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

Jiri
Prochazka has sent Paulo Costa
a warning.

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.