Henry Cejudo thinks Usman Nurmagomedov’s next signature decides whether the PFL survives.
Nurmagomedov knocked out Archie Colgan in the first round at PFL New York on July 31 to defend his lightweight title. It was the last fight on his contract. He is 22-0 with one no contest and the most sought-after free agent in the sport, and he has already turned down a reported $2 million per fight to stay.
Cejudo put a number on it with Kamaru Usman on their Pound-4-Pound podcast.
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. 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.
Worth noting on that estimate. Cejudo, Usman and Nurmagomedov are all managed by Dominance MMA. Cejudo sees two workable outcomes.
I think the UFC can pay Nurmagomedov. Will they? I think the PFL will probably entice more of the money side. 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 will go a long way.
The stakes for the promotion are simpler in his view.
He leaves the PFL tomorrow, the PFL is finished. Straight up.
The two sides Cejudo is weighing are now one company on the PFL end. Most Valuable Promotions merged with the PFL in July, with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian joining the board alongside PFL chief executive John Martin, and the PFL operating as the MMA arm. Paul was in the cage after the Colgan win, and Nurmagomedov used the moment to point out that MVP has spent years saying Dana White does not pay.
There is a complication on the UFC side. Nurmagomedov rushed the cage at UFC Shanghai last weekend after Song Yadong knocked out his brother, Umar, and came close to an altercation with Song. White was not pleased.
Cejudo rates him regardless.
I think he’s top three in the entire world. I think if he gets that opportunity, it would be interesting. But I know that he’s top-three in the world.
The toughest matchup for Justin Gaethje, it is Usman Nurmagomedov.
