Fighters react to Usman Nurmagomedov's PFL title defense in final contract fight

Usman Nurmagomedov continued his incredible undefeated run Friday at PFL New York with another defense of his lightweight title, this time against Archie Colgan.

Colgan (13-1) came into the fight with a perfect record and all the confidence, but Nurmagomedov (22-0) took that away from him with a first-round knockout victory in the event headliner at UBS Arena on Long Island.

With the win, Nurmagomedov completed the final fight of his PFL contract and will become one of the most coveted fighters in the sport. He resisted talking about the situation, but the door could potentially be open for a long-discussed moved to the UFC’s 155-pound weight class.

Check below for the top social media reactions to Nurmagomedov’s title defense vs. Colgan at PFL New York.

Usman Nurmagomedov and Archie Colgan are moments away from their #PFLNY title clash.

21-0 vs. 13-0: Who ya got? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/o3cNHbHr9o

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 1, 2026

John Martin weighs in on our Main Event matchup and the future of the PFL 👀#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/qoijrOyiyF

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

Usman Nurmagomedov is battle ready for our Main Event 🔥#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/8xwMfEcBZq

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

Usman Nurmagomedov is in the octagon. Goosebumps.
Khabib and Umar are in Usman’s corner. Justin Gaethje is in Archie Colgan’s corner.
let’s go PFL New York! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/FwSXHe3MBS

— PAM (@ParamPam1990) August 1, 2026

Unreal finish by Usman Nurmagomedov. Moves to 22-0, and completes his PFL contract. Things about to get very interesting. #PFLNY

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) August 1, 2026

Usman Nurmagomedov just became one of the hottest free agents in MMA history after that performance.

Absolutely dominated the previously undefeated Archie Colgan and made it look easy.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 1, 2026

Very impressive showing from Usman Nurmagomedov. He stops Archie Colgan in the first and does so with clean, efficient and deadly striking. Took his time with the jab before starting combos, which helped close the show.

Colgan was too defensive, but Usman was clinical.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) August 1, 2026

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

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

#PFLNY results: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Archie Colgan via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:42 – to defend lightweight title

Full coverage ➡️ https://t.co/PFg2nvJBu1pic.twitter.com/GOdjXGkSSV

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 1, 2026

Usman is a monster it should be him vs Arman at some point

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 1, 2026

Khabib grabbed the belt from Jake Paul and wrapped it around Usman Nurmagomedov after his win 👀

(h/t @MMA_PROS_PICK_) pic.twitter.com/WR3YyjFpuMhttps://t.co/F2yiphST0Z

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 1, 2026

Usman Nurmagomedov reflects on his big win 💪#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/WizQIilJWe

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

And to round off this glorious night, I have the shot of the evening for you, MMA Twitter.👇
Khabib kicking Usman Nurmagomedov in the PFL octagon after his dominant win to the outrage of the UFC champion Islam Makhachev. 😂 pic.twitter.com/OkrilMtOPP

— PAM (@ParamPam1990) August 1, 2026

“MVP, they always trash talk about Dana (White) – he doesn’t pay. Now we’re going to see how they want to pay.”

Usman Nurmagomedov sends his message to MVP MMA after completing his PFL deal at #PFLNY. 👀

🎥 @pflmmapic.twitter.com/YOcRIJEzj8

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 1, 2026

😳😳😳
Mashallah https://t.co/JD3EzPvhYk

— CrisCy₿org.Com (@criscyborg) August 1, 2026

USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV REMAINS THE PFL LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD 🔥#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/jmWLkWp3yj

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

Whenever yall are chanting “we love Jake Paul” in the arenas just remember like I’m just a guy type shit

Don’t gas me up too much type shit

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 1, 2026

Could be the case. Usman Nurmagomedov is of the more interesting free agent watches in quite some time. Let’s see what happens! https://t.co/ju0qrZUFqvpic.twitter.com/DWdJRGLbg2

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 1, 2026

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Fighters react to Usman Nurmagomedov’s PFL title defense in final contract fight