Dan Hardy hopes PFL can retain Usman Nurmagomedov’s services for the long term and convince him to resist the allure of UFC.
Undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (20-0) returns to competition on Saturday when he defends gold against Alfie Davis (20-5-1) in the main event of PFL: Road to Dubai at Coco-Cola arena in Dubai (ESPN+).
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Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie in December that it will be the second-to-last fight on his current PFL contract, and he expected negotiations to take place afterward. Prior to that, Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, spoke of Nurmagomedov’s financial priorities and he would not move to the UFC “a pay cut” than what he’s getting now.
With Nurmagomedov, 27, being one of the highest globally-ranked fighters on the PFL roster and one of the promotions most notable names, PFL commentator Hardy thinks it’s imperative an extension is reached before free agency.
“I think it’s essential,” Hardy told MMA Junkie. “It think everybody is of the same mindset. I know people within the PFL want him to stick around. From what I understand from his camp, they’re very much considering staying with the PFL with his future and seeing where that can go. Khabib (Nurmagomedov) said a couple of things recently about the fact that it’s not a meritocracy in the UFC anymore. They’re releasing people coming off wins now. You can’t necessarily just be a winning fighter, you have to be the right type of winning fighter. You just never know whether the UFC are going to value Usman in the same way that we would.
“I know he’s got the Nurmagomedov name, but they’ve also got Umar and have got other Nurmagomedovs. Khabib was the guy. Usman is a very different fighter. The fact that he’s got the Nurmagomedov name doesn’t necessarily hint that he’s going to be the same as Khabib because he’s not, he’s very much an elite striker.”
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Nurmagomedov, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, has yet to taste defeat in nearly nine years as a professional, including 10 appearances under the PFL and now-defunct Bellator banners.
It might be tough for Nurmagomedov to climb any higher in the rankings without facing the UFC names at 155 pounds, but Hardy argues there are enough challenges to keep him occupied for years to come, should he choose to do so.
“The good thing for Usman is that we’ve got plenty of talent coming in this division,” Hardy said. “Obviously Alfie is coming through. Archie Colgan is on his way through. We’ve got a lot of guys that are going to be chomping at the bit to get in there with Usman, so he’s always going to have a challenge. He’s never going to feel like he’s beaten everyone in the division and there’s no one else for him to fight. We’ve got a stacked lightweight division, but ultimately, who knows?
“The only person that knows what Usman wants in his mind is him. He does seem like a very settled guy and, ‘I’ll do this, this is my job if you pay me.’ But who knows? The UFC has a lot of pull, doesn’t it? These big three letters can do a lot for you. But I also feel like that might be shifting in the next couple years as well.”
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To hear more from Hardy, check out his complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dan Hardy: ‘It’s essential’ for PFL to re-sign Usman Nurmagomedov
