Usman Nurmagomedov Aims for UFC Move and Fight Against Arman Tsarukyan

Usman Nurmagomedov is set to defend his PFL lightweight title for the second time on Friday night at the UBS Arena in New York, where he will face Dakota Ditcheva. Nurmagomedov previously secured the title against Paul Hughes and successfully defended it against Alfie Davis.

As Nurmagomedov approaches free agency after August 1, speculation about a transition to the UFC is growing. He has expressed a desire to fight Arman Tsarukyan, a goal that dates back to their encounter in Moscow six years ago. Nurmagomedov's teammate, Islam Makhachev, has raised concerns about whether the UFC will make a competitive offer to lure him away from the PFL.

With Makhachev's exit from the lightweight division, Nurmagomedov sees an opportunity to follow in his footsteps. He aims not only for championship success but also for a matchup against Tsarukyan, who is currently viewed as a top contender in the UFC.