Usman Nurmagomedov retained the PFL Lightweight World Championship with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan at 3:42 of Round 1 on Friday night at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York — and with that finish, his PFL contract is done. The 22-0 lightweight is now the most coveted free agent in MMA.

How Did Usman Nurmagomedov Finish Archie Colgan at PFL New York?

Nurmagomedov dropped Colgan with a right high kick followed immediately by a left hand, sending the challenger to the canvas. He swarmed with a sharp uppercut and ground strikes until referee Keith Peterson waved it off. It was clinical, fast, and exactly the kind of performance that reinforces why MMA promotions beyond the PFL have been circling his camp for months.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, his cousin and coach, was in the corner as usual — but this time there was an added layer. UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who Khabib submitted to claim the title back at UFC 254, was cageside in an opposing coaching role. The two shared the same arena floor for the first time since that 2020 fight, a reminder of how small the sport’s elite circle truly is.

USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV WITH THE FIRST ROUND KO 😱#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/mikFN1ZLFx

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

What Did Usman Nurmagomedov Say About His Future After PFL New York?

Post-fight, Nurmagomedov kept his cards close but made clear the door is open to everything. “I don’t have any problem to stay with PFL. I love PFL and let’s see,” he said. He deferred to his manager Ali Abdelaziz on contract specifics: “this is Ali’s job. I think he’s going to figure it out.” On whether a big-money offer elsewhere could move the needle: “if somebody going to pay me good money, we will stay there.”

Those words will land loudly in UFC offices. At 22-0, with finishes in virtually every division of the sport, Nurmagomedov fighting for the UFC lightweight title against Gaethje would be one of the most compelling matchups the promotion could put together. Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz — the same Ali Abdelaziz who manages Nurmagomedov — is already at the centre of that conversation. Worth noting too: the PFL’s recently announced merger with MVP raises the stakes of keeping him, with Jake Paul publicly inviting top free agents to stay in the fold.

Dakota Ditcheva Wins Return But Faces Questions After Kielholtz Decision

In the co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva returned from a one-year layoff to defeat Denise Kielholtz by unanimous decision — all three judges scored it 30-27. The 28-year-old improved her unbeaten record to 16-0, but the performance left room for debate. Kielholtz pushed Ditcheva further than expected, and the finish that usually defines Ditcheva’s nights never came.

She remains the best women’s flyweight outside the UFC, and the conversation about when — not if — she makes that move is getting louder. At some point, beating PFL-level competition stops advancing the legacy argument.

What Is Next for Usman Nurmagomedov After PFL New York?

The PFL would understandably want to re-sign their flagship fighter, and CEO Peter Murray has already suggested the organisation would support any move that benefits Nurmagomedov’s career. But the UFC, with Gaethje holding the lightweight belt and a title defence yet to be formally booked, represents the biggest stage the sport offers. A fight between the two, with Khabib and Abdelaziz on opposite sides of the table, writes itself.

For now, Nurmagomedov leaves New York as a free agent, unbeaten, and with every option available to him. Where he signs next will say a lot about where MMA is heading.

PFL New York Full Results

• Usman Nurmagomedov def. Archie Colgan — KO (high kick, punches), Round 1 (3:42) — PFL Lightweight World Championship
• Dakota Ditcheva def. Denise Kielholtz — Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) — Women’s Flyweight
• Amru Magomedov def. Angel Alvarez — TKO (leg kicks), Round 1 — Lightweight
• Moustapha Diakhaté def. Darryl Walker — Finish, Round 1 — Light Heavyweight

Preliminary Card:

• Levan Khabalaev def. Chamy Delva — TKO (body knee and strikes), Round 1 (1:44)
• Tatiana Postarnakova def. Montana De La Rosa — Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Omar El Dafrawy def. Jonathan Piersma — Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Sean Gauci def. Allan Begosso — Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Lazaro Dayron def. Raufeon Stots — Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)