Cejudo warns PFL is 'finished' if they fail to re-sign Usman Nurmagomedov

Henry Cejudo has issued a stark warning to the PFL: re-sign Usman Nurmagomedov or face collapse. Speaking on his Pound-4-Pound podcast alongside Kamaru Usman, the former UFC double champion argued that losing the undefeated Dagestani lightweight would be an existential blow to the promotion.

Nurmagomedov became a free agent after his first-round knockout of Archie Colgan at PFL New York in July, a win that successfully defended his PFL lightweight title and fulfilled the final fight on his contract. He has since reportedly turned down a $2 million per-fight renewal offer from the PFL — a figure Cejudo believes is already below market rate.

“He leaves the PFL tomorrow, the PFL is finished. Straight up,” Cejudo said.

Cejudo, whose management company Dominance MMA also represents Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman, estimated that the 26-year-old’s next deal — wherever it lands — will be worth somewhere between $3 million and $4 million per fight. He acknowledged the UFC would be an option, but questioned whether the promotion would stretch its pay scale that far for a fighter coming in from outside the organisation.

“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 sign 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.”

Nurmagomedov’s negotiating position has not been helped by an incident at UFC Shanghai last weekend, where he rushed into the cage following Song Yadong’s knockout of his brother and nearly came to blows with the fighter — an altercation that drew a public rebuke from UFC CEO Dana White.

Despite that flashpoint, Cejudo remains high on Nurmagomedov’s fighting ability and believes an immediate title shot in the UFC would be justified. “I think he’s top three in the entire world. I think if he gets that opportunity, it would be interesting,” he said.

No announcement on Nurmagomedov’s next move has been made.