Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager makes bold Ilia Topuria fight prediction

Usman Nurmagomedov has become the most sought-after free agent in MMA after exhausting his Professional Fighters League contract with a knockout victory over Archie Colgan at PFL New York. The undefeated 22-0 lightweight is now fielding offers, with the UFC openly expressing interest in the 28-year-old Dagestani fighter.

With Nurmagomedov potentially heading to the UFC, talk has turned to a possible matchup against former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Topuria, once considered the sport's fastest-rising star, suffered his first professional loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, dropping to a 17-1 record but remaining one of the promotion's biggest names.

Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov, has made a bold prediction about such a bout. On social media, Abdelaziz declared that Nurmagomedov will stop Topuria within four rounds—mirroring Gaethje's knockout win over the Georgian striker. Abdelaziz has a track record of such predictions, noting he had correctly predicted Gaethje's victory before that fight took place.

The prediction assumes Nurmagomedov signs with the UFC and that a fight between the two can be arranged, a significant step given their respective weight classes and current promotional positions. Nurmagomedov's next destination remains uncertain amid the PFL's recent merger with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.