Nurmagomedov On Colgan's Wrestling: 'He's Not Going To Win'
Usman Nurmagomedov has heard the wrestling questions before his PFL lightweight title defense against Archie Colgan on Friday, and the Dagestani champion is not concerned.
Nurmagomedov told MMA Fighting that Colgan can try to take him down if he wants, but it will not work. "He's a little short, uncomfortable fighter," Nurmagomedov said of the undefeated challenger. "He's wrestling very well but I'm from Dagestan. I can wrestle, I can grapple, I can do Muay Thai. I can do anything. Whatever he will compete with me, I am going to be better at. All respect for Archie and his team. He's not going to win."
Nurmagomedov Confident In Grappling Against Former College Wrestler
The champion said Colgan will struggle to get takedowns against him and that he welcomes the grappling exchanges if they happen. Nurmagomedov pointed out they are fighting, not competing in a wrestling match, and he believes his longer reach will let him control the distance against the shorter Colgan. If fans want a pure wrestling contest, Nurmagomedov suggested they could settle it at the Russian Armed Forces tournament instead.
Nurmagomedov fights on the final bout of his PFL contract Friday, which has fueled talk he could move to the UFC now that Islam Makhachev vacated lightweight to compete at welterweight. The champion said he has made no decisions and is blocking out the noise until after he faces Colgan. "Archie, he's undefeated," Nurmagomedov said. "You can't stay like this for a long time if you're not in the top five. That's why he's the No. 1 contender and of course, he wants to take everything what I have."
The PFL lightweight title fight airs Friday as the main event.
Original reporting:
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