Badaev: Usman Nurmagomedov’s move to UFC is a done deal

Former ACA vice president Aslanbek Badaev commented on reports about Usman Nurmagomedov’s possible move to UFC. He said Nurmagomedov’s rejection of PFL’s latest offer showed that he intended to join UFC.

Badaev claimed that Nurmagomedov’s expected purse for his first UFC fight could be half what he earned in PFL. He stressed that he did not know how accurate the information was.

The discussion also touched on Ilia Topuria as a possible opponent. Badaev said he did not believe Nurmagomedov would face one of UFC’s leading stars in his first fight. However, he said they would congratulate UFC if the bout were arranged.

In Badaev’s view, Nurmagomedov should be wary of Topuria’s powerful striking. He said the period of exclusive negotiations would probably continue until the end of October, after which the fighter could become a free agent.