This is the live blog for Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Archie Colgan, the lightweight title fight main event on Friday’s PFL card at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York.
One of the best fighters in the world outside of the UFC, Nurmagomedov has never lost in the cage, amassing a 21-0, 1 no-contest record in MMA. Hailing from the famed Nurmagomedov Eagle Fight Team, Nurmagomedov has already followed in the footsteps of his teammates, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, by capturing lightweight gold, but on the final fight of his PFL contract, Usman might soon leave the promotion to pursue the UFC lightweight title.
Also undefeated, Colgan sports a 13-0 professional MMA record, with most of those bouts coming under the Bellator banner. Colgan has gone 2-0 in the PFL, most recently winning a unanimous decision over Jay Jay Wilson in October, setting himself up for this lightweight title opportunity.
Check out the live blog for Nurmagomedov vs. Colgan below.
Well, that is shocking. Ditcheva was so underwhelming that they didn’t even give her an interview.
Colgan gets a quick walkout while the commentary team is talking. Usman jogs to the cage with a bit more fanfare. He’s ready to get down to business.
Oh man, this announcer is doing WAY too much. But we’re into the introductions now. Almost time for the main event. This event has MOVED. Very past pacing, and I respect that.
Very brief final instructions, and let’s go!
Both men out in orthodox. Usman definitely looks a little bit bigger than Colgan. And he’s fighting long, sticking that jab as Colgan tries to get him backed up. Colgan almost lands a really nice right hand, but Usman slipped it and countered hard. He looks very comfortable as Colgan is trying to back him up.
Usman really does have solid striking. It’s not flashy, and doesn’t dazzle, but he stays busy and it makes sense. He’s putting a lot of different weapons down range, dissuading coming through the center on him. Jabs and front kicks. He’s showing a lot of different stuff early, and he’s already got some swelling out of Colgan’s left eye.
And now Usman is holding the center more. Colgan started with more activity, but he’s playing all defense right now, and getting kicked in the stomach a lot. Colgan back on the pressure, but Usman keeps kicking him in the belly. Colgan swings a left hand hand that landed got Usman a bit.
OH!!!!!! Usman drops Colgan! Couldn’t see what it was but Colgan to a knee, and when he gets up, Usman FLOORS him! Usman on top but Colgan moves up and OHHHH! Again Colgan goes down and this is gonna be it! Referee jumps in!
What a performance from the champion!
Replay shows the first knockdown was a question-mark kick. Colgan reached on the low kick and ate it full to the face. Then the last one was a beautiful little uppercut from Usman. Sensational showing from Nurmagomedov.
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Archie Colgan via TKO (kick and punches) — 3:42, Round 1.
Usman Nurmagomedov is talking to Jake Paul, who is in the cage. Paul offers to buy Usman a car if he gets a knockout in his next fight. Usman says thanks? Audio isn’t the best.
Usman says this was his best fight camp, says he pushed so hard, and that the only guy who out-worked him was Islam Makhachev.
Honestly, this audio is a nightmare. The crowd is booing Jake Paul loudly. He’s putting Usman over, and then addresses the boos. He’s doing the real life “I’m not mad, actually, it’s funny.” But to his credit, Paul is turning everything to Usman. He’s trying to boost the man. That’s something. And then he says Usman would make “light work” of Justin Gaethje.
Usman says this was his last fight for PFL, but we’ll see what happens. “Now we’re gonna see how Dana will pay.”
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