Henry Cejudo says PFL faces risks if Usman Nurmagomedov leaves promotion

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BELMONT PARK, NY - JULY 31: Usman Nurmagomedov celebrates with Khabib Nurmagomedov after fighting against Archie Colgan during PFL New York at the UBS Arena on July 31, 2026 in Belmont Park, New York. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images Henry Cejudo thinks this is make-or-break for the PFL. In July, Usman Nurmagomedov successfully defended his PFL lightweight title with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan at PFL New York. The fight was the final one on Nurmagomedov’s PFL deal, and the undefeated Dagestani fighter is now one of the hottest free agents in recent MMA history. Case in point, Nurmagomedov allegedly turned down a $2 million per fight offer from PFL, leading Cejudo to speculate just how much Nurmagomedov stands to make wherever he signs. “What do you think they have to pay him? Because I know MVP and Jake Paul, he likes to make it rain a little bit,” Cejudo asked Kamaru Usman on their Pound-4-Pound podcast. “… It’s going to be seven figures. I think he just rejected $2 million, but does MVP — I’m sure they have the money, but do they want to do that? And is the UFC willing to pay that? Because you know they don’t pay that for newcomers coming in. “So you’re looking at a deal between Usman Nurmagomedov with MVP and the UFC, anywhere between three and four million per fight. This is my opinion. That seems about right. He just rejected $2 million.” To note, Usman Nurmagomedov is managed by Dominance MMA, which also manages both Cejudo and Kamaru Usman, who seemed to agree with Cejudo’s rough estimate. However, Cejudo isn’t so sure the UFC would be willing to back up the Brinks truck for a guy from another organization like that. So instead, Cejudo believes Nurmagomedov could be at a career fork in the road, with two good options. “I think the UFC can [pay Nurmagomedov]. Will they? I think the PFL will probably entice more of the money side,” Cejudo said. “So it all depends on Usman. He is in such a great position. If I’m Usman, I’d be like, ‘Hey, I said with the UFC, I take a cut on pay, but I want my title shot.’ I think that’s how you do it. “Or I sign a seven-fight deal with MVP and just set yourself up for the rest of your life. That is a lot of money. A lot of money. Especially in Dagestan. That shit will go a long way.” And for what it’s worth, Cejudo believes the PFL is also at a fork in the road: either pay up, or fold the promotion. “He leaves the PFL tomorrow, the PFL is finished. Straight up,” Cejudo said. There’s still no word yet on where or when Nurmagomedov will declare his intentions, though he recently ran afoul of UFC CEO Dana White last weekend when he rushed into the cage and nearly got into an altercation with Song Yadong at UFC Shanghai after Song knocked his brother, Usman Nurmagomedov, out. But if all that gets settled, and Nurmagomedov can leverage his negotiating power into an immediate title shot in the UFC, Cejudo likes his chances. “I think he’s top three in the entire world. I think if he gets that opportunity, it would be interesting,” Cejudo said. “But I know that he’s top-three in the world.” “The toughest matchup for Justin Gaethje, it is Usman Nurmagomedov. Before then, I was thinking it was Armen, but Justin Gaethje’s dad said something that triggered Ilia: Justin Gaethje has a really good time with shorter guys. Fiziev, Ilia Topuria, anybody that’s shorter than Justin, Justin tends to have his way. A guy like Usman Nurmagomedov, that’s his biggest matchup.” TOP STORIES Reaction. Khamzat Chimaev reacts to rumored Nassourdine Imavov vs. Sean Strickland title fight. Boxing. Tyson Fury moving on from Anthony Joshua fight, trashes Eddie Hearn: ‘I can’t make a coward fight.’ RAF. 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Henry Cejudo believes the PFL cannot survive without Usman Nurmagomedov