Islam Makhachev says Usman Nurmagomedov would earn half his purse with UFC move, PFL CEO responds

Islam Makhachev thinks Usman Nurmagomedov will get compensated far more if he stays in the PFL, and PFL’s CEO has commented on those words from the UFC champion. Nurmagomedov defends his PFL crown against Archie Colgan at PFL New York in July, but much of the discourse around the PFL lightweight champ centers on this being the final contracted bout of his PFL agreement in the coming weeks.

PFL CEO John Martin appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to field questions during the kickoff of the PFL Summer Series. This leads into Saturday night with PFL San Diego as AJ McKee takes on unbeaten combatant Salamat Isbulaev on June 27th. In an interview with Adam Zubayraev, the UFC welterweight champion said [via Sherdog],

“In PFL they pay much more. The UFC doesn’t like paying that much. If Usman [Nurmagomedov] signs, I think he gets half the purse he gets in PFL… If he works out one more contract [in PFL], three more fights, he won’t be late for anything. Let the UFC make him an offer he can’t refuse. But if they offer a small purse, what’s the point of going?”

 Islam Makhachev receives a response from PFL CEO about Usman Nurmagomedov pay situation

Responding to Islam Makhachev’s assessment of this situation, which could potentially be a telling kind of statement, Martin said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“Well, I was surprised to see that in the press. Look, Usman is our pound-for-pound highest ranked fighter. He’s undefeated. He’s 21-0. He walks around with the aura of a champion. He’s been a great fighter to have on the PFL roster. This is going to be his last fight under his current agreement. We talk to him and his camp all the time. We’ve decided we’ll sit down after the fight and decide really what he wants to do.”

“If it makes sense for the PFL, I would love for him to re-sign. We would love to have him. If that’s not where his desire is, then he’ll have to make that decision. It’s got to make sense for us economically. But I was surprised to see that article as well. So, if he leaves, I don’t know whether it would be; doesn’t sound like it would be for more money. Maybe he just wants to try out another promotion.”

“But I think he’s been wonderful for the PFL. He’s actually nicely made some very complimentary comments about his view of the PFL. So, we’ll see. He’s been a great great person to have sort of at the forefront as a face for the PFL for us. I’ve got massive respect for him and the body of work that he’s built. We’ll see what makes the most sense.”