Usman Nurmagomedov Wins PFL Lightweight Title with First-Round Knockout

Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of famed fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, secured the PFL lightweight championship with a first-round knockout at the PFL event in New York on the night between July 31 and August 1, 2026. Facing undefeated Archie Colgan, who held a 13-0 record, Nurmagomedov delivered a precise head kick that sent Colgan to the ground early in the fight. Instead of immediately taking the fight to the ground, Nurmagomedov allowed Colgan to stand before landing an uppercut and a series of punches that forced the referee to stop the match. This victory improved Nurmagomedov's professional record to 22-0.

Among the enthusiastic crowd was Jake Paul, co-founder of MVP, which recently announced a merger with PFL. Paul expressed admiration for Nurmagomedov's performance, stating it justified their investment in the organization. Despite the triumph, Nurmagomedov sparked controversy during a post-fight ESPN interview by mentioning "Free Palestine," a statement that angered many fans, particularly in Israel.

Looking ahead, Nurmagomedov confirmed this was the final fight under his current contract and hinted at negotiations with new promoters. He challenged the new management, including MVP, to offer him a lucrative deal, referencing criticisms of UFC president Dana White regarding fighter payments. Nurmagomedov's remarks signal his intent to leverage his rising status in upcoming contract discussions.