PFL MMA

Usman Nurmagomedov has become the biggest free agent in MMA, but Chael Sonnen doesn’t think the PFL champion would decimate elite UFC lightweights like some believe he could.

Nurmagomedov had the final bout of his PFL deal on July 31. He knocked out Archie Colgan in the opening frame to successfully retain the lightweight gold. The dynamic has changed in PFL following a merger with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Whether or not the change will sway Nurmagomedov to either staying or signing elsewhere remains to be seen.

Sonnen is well aware of what Nurmagomedov brings to the table, but in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, the Fight Wing UFC Hall of Famer said he doesn’t feel the undefeated star would have a free ride against the best 155-pounders in the world (via MMAJunkie).

“I predict that Usman does go over to (the UFC’s) 155 pounds,” Sonnen said. “He will not be a lock. He will be one of the guys. He will not just walk through Paddy ‘The Baddy,’ Max Holloway, Arman Tsarukyan, or Justin Gaethje. But could he compete with them all? Yes. Is he good enough to beat them all? Yeah. They can beat him too, but yes, Usman is that good.”

Sonnen doesn’t believe it would be in PFL’s best interest to retain Nurmagomedov if the asking price is high, which many suspect that it is.

“Is it worth holding on to for the PFL? No,” Sonnen said. “Because in the world of chess, which is what you’re really buying in these moments, much like with Conor Benn, we’re not buying the punches and the kicks. We’re not buying that commodity. We’re buying 20 minutes in the headlines, on the dot coms that are ruled by our space – and that’s got a number. And it’s got a pretty nice number. And that number is somewhere around $500,000. I think one of these organizations is going to offer him about $500,000, and that’s the right number.”

Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently said that PFL had a chance to sign his client to a new deal prior to Nurmagomedov’s win over Colgan. Abdelaziz felt the number presented was fair, but the promotion balked. This happened prior to the MVP merger, and time will where Nurmagomedov ultimately lands.

Do you agree with Chael Sonnen? Is Usman Nurmagomedov in for some tough fights if he joins the UFC roster? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM