Colgan On Nurmagomedov's July 31 Test

Archie Colgan will test whether Usman Nurmagomedov deserves his undefeated reputation when the two collide for the PFL lightweight championship Friday in New York.

Colgan, who trains alongside UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, has pursued the matchup for nearly three years, first targeting Nurmagomedov when the Dagestani held the Bellator belt. The goal remained unchanged after the PFL purchased Bellator, MMA Fighting reports. "Three years ago, two and a half years ago when he first won the belt in Bellator, that became the goal," Colgan told the outlet. "That became the guy that I was like that's who we're chasing."

Wrestling Background Key To Colgan's Strategy

Colgan spent four years competing in the Big 12 conference at Wyoming and believes his grappling credentials will reveal gaps in Nurmagomedov's game. He questions whether the champion has faced true defensive wrestling tests, telling MMA Fighting the Dagestani has operated from "offense, offense, offense and never having to consider the defense to it." Colgan added that Friday will provide those answers.

The undefeated challenger also trains with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, giving him daily exposure to elite-level wrestling. He sees the fight as a chance to prove the PFL lightweight roster belongs among the sport's best divisions, regardless of what Nurmagomedov does after this bout with one fight remaining on his contract.

Colgan acknowledged frustration watching other contenders receive title shots while he waited, but said that resentment has shifted to focus now that the fight is official. "Now it's time," he said.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Archie Colgan plans to find out if Usman Nurmagomedov is really that great or not: ‘July 31, we’ll have those answers’