Two of the PFL’s biggest stars, Dakota Ditcheva and Usman Nurmagomedov, had big nights in Long Island, New York on Friday night.
That’s exactly the situation the PFL no doubt was hoping for, just a day after announcing they were merging into Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotion (MVP).
Ditcheva, for one, made her return to the cage after a year out of action when she faced off against ex-Bellator title challenger Denise Kielholtz at PFL New York at the UBS Arena in Belmont.
The striker versus striker match-up looked to be right up Ditcheva’s alley, and came with 2025 PFL World Tournament winner Liz Carmouche waiting in the wings, and the promotion’s women’s flyweight title sitting vacant.
Ditcheva looked loose early in the card’s co-main event, getting her hands going while Kielholtz worked to slip and dodge punches. Ditcheva was equally elusive when Kielholtz returned fire; the former kickboxer was at a sizeable disadvantage in terms of reach in contrast to Ditcheva. A kick to the body landed for Ditcheva, and they’d go on to have a fairly competitive opening round.
After a solid kick and right hand to the body, Ditcheva took Kielholtz down early in round two, though Kielholtz would work to take control and Dakota was soon back to her feet, wagging her finger. Ditcheva landed a trip just past the midway mark that put her firmly on top and in control, working from half guard until Kielholtz created enough space to scramble up. In a fight that was fairly evenly balanced on the feet, Ditcheva’s ability to control on the ground, as she would once more before round’s end, had the potential to be a significant factor should the fight go to the judges.
Which it did. Another back-and-forth round in the third saw the pair go the distance. Kielholtz was game enough on the feet, able for the most part to keep up with Ditcheva. Yet after a year away, Dakota Ditcheva didn’t appear to have much rust and was perhaps a half-step ahead of veteran Kielholtz.
The judges certainly felt that was the case, with all three awarding every round to Ditcheva. There’s almost certainly a title fight in her future, against Carmouche most likely. It’s hard to imagine any scenario where the fight does not happen.
That performance gave way to Usman Nurmagomedov putting on a show-stopping performance, while defending his PFL lightweight title against Archie Colgan in what could be the champ’s final fight in the PFL. With free agency looming, it was a pair of undefeated Bellator vets throwing down to close out the night in New York.
Colgan came close with a right hand early; Nurmagomedov found success with his kicks. But it wasn’t long before the Dagestani showed just why he’s one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world.
A Nurmagomedov kick sailed high, catching Colgan on the side of the head, with a punch then dropping him. Colgan survived, and got back to his feet, but ate a couple of punches and folded backwards. With Nurmagomedov swarming, and Colgan pretty much out, the ref made the save! An incredible performance by the champ, who, should he choose to explore free agency, will do so off one of the biggest performances of his career.
USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV WITH THE FIRST ROUND KO 😱#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/mikFN1ZLFx
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026
Jake Paul, set to be a frequent face in the PFL now that it’s being rebranded as part of MVP, then entered the cage, which brought out a chorus of boos. Not a commentary on Nurmagomedov’s performance, but perhaps a reminder that Paul is far from beloved in combat sports even if he is a draw. Suggesting that Nurmagomedov would make light work of UFC lightweight champ Justin Gaethje, who was in attendance, Paul did what he could to put Nurmagomedov over.
As for Usman himself, he noted that MVP loves to talk trash, while the UFC doesn’t want to pay their fighters. It sounds like Nurmagomedov is willing to test free agency, and see who’s willing to pay up.
Asked during the post-fight show about what it will take to stay with MVP, Nurmagomedov hammered that home. “Money, bro.”
“Jake Paul talking about ‘Dana White doesn’t pay his fighters,’ yes? Now he has a chance to show how he has to pay people, when they deserve [it],” he added. “23-0, undefeated, undisputed lightweight champion of the world. What do you think I deserve?”
The PFL, or MVP now, would be crazy not to re-sign Usman Nurmagomedov. The UFC would be crazy not to make a play for him, since the storyline for a fight with Gaethje sells itself. Which means things could get interesting on that front in the coming months.
