Jake Paul’s biggest MMA star Usman Nurmagomedov rejects $2m offer as UFC links intensify

Jake Paul could be on the brink of losing the hottest commodity in MMA before he has even had a chance to work with him.

Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) recently signed a landmark merger deal with PFL in an attempt to challenge the UFC‘s monopoly over the sport.

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Under the terms of the merger, PFL will become MVP MMA in January, with its entire roster set to be absorbed.

As of right now, it remains unclear whether PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will be crossing over with the rest of the stable.

Nurmagomedov entered free agency in July when his contract with the PFL expired following a routine defence of his 155lbs belt against Archie Colgan.

PFL now have a 90-day exclusive negotiation window to agree terms with the Russian superstar before he is able to field offers from rival organisations.

The UFC is keen on acquiring his services, and most anticipate that he will join MMA’s premier promotion once this exclusive period ends at the back end of October.

That hasn’t stopped PFL from pushing hard to secure his signature, though.

According to Nurmagomedov, PFL offered him $2million a fight to renew his contract.

However, the 28-year-old has since turned it down.

Usman Nurmagomedov rejects lucrative PFL offer

“Negotiations with the PFL are still ongoing,” Nurmagomedov told Sport24.

“90 days need to pass, and then we’ll see. But I have (previously) turned down $2 million.

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“When we made our request for a new contract, the numbers were different. Higher than $2 million.”

Is Usman Nurmagomedov heading to the UFC?

When asked recently if the UFC had any interest in bringing Nurmagomedov into the fold, Dana White remained coy, but his expressions hinted that a plan was already in motion.

“Sure,” White replied with a wide grin.

Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, maintains a very strong relationship with the UFC and has a massive stable of fighters competing under the company’s banner.

Combine this with the fact that his teammate and cousin Islam Makhachev is no longer ruling over the lightweight division, and you have a recipe for a seemingly inevitable move to the UFC.

talkSPORT's UFC pound-for-pound rankings

talkSPORT.com has collectively voted on the best fighters to form a regularly updated UFC pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings system for the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Our P4P list will be updated regularly based on performances in the Octagon — with wins, records, title wins and defences, calibre of opponents, methods of victory and much more all determining who makes it.

UFC champions Islam Makhachev, Tom Aspinall and Sean Strickland feature – but big stars such as Alex Pereira and Arman Tsarukyan miss out.