Dana White On Signing Usman Nurmagomedov

Dana White made no effort to hide his interest in Usman Nurmagomedov after the undefeated lightweight knocked out Archie Colgan at PFL's New York event Friday night.

The UFC president was asked about signing Nurmagomedov during the post-fight press conference following UFC Belgrade. White broke into a wide grin and offered a single word, per BJPenn.com: "Sure."

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Nurmagomedov finished the last fight on his PFL contract with a first-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Colgan. His cousin Khabib posted to Instagram that the 155-pound champion is better than any lightweight in the world and said negotiations would begin next month. "Today, I'd put him up against any top lightweight in the world," Khabib wrote. "I've been in this game for a long time, and I know what I'm talking about."

Jake Paul, whose MVP promotion is merging with PFL, had a public exchange with Nurmagomedov after the bout about his future. The Dagestani fighter competed under the Bellator banner before the PFL purchase and fought Paul Hughes twice in 2025. White's nonverbal response at the press conference suggested the UFC views Nurmagomedov as a serious target now that he has fulfilled his contract.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Dana White hints at pursuing Usman Nurmagomedov as free agency looms following PFL NYC event