Usman Nurmagomedov is officially on the open market. Yahoo Sports and Bloody Elbow both report that PFL's 90 day exclusive negotiating window with the undefeated lightweight has expired, clearing the way for him to talk to any promotion that wants him, including the UFC.

According to Yahoo, Usman's team already turned down a two million dollar offer to stay put, and they are not shy about what they want next. The camp is reportedly targeting Ilia Topuria as the opponent for Usman's UFC debut, a massive ask for a fighter who has never stepped into the Octagon.

It is easy to see why they are aiming that high. Topuria currently sits as our number one ranked lightweight, and a win over him would be the kind of statement entrance no other promotion could offer Usman. But Topuria is coming off his first real stumble, having lost to Justin Gaethje by knockout in the fourth round on June 14. Our Elo model, built from six logged bouts, still has him rated at 1599, so the idea of throwing a complete UFC newcomer at him so soon after that kind of defeat would be a bold matchmaking swing for the promotion to even consider.

For now this is a request, not a signed bout. Usman still has to actually sign with the UFC, and nothing in the reporting suggests Topuria or the promotion have agreed to anything resembling that matchup. But the fact that Usman's side is already naming names, and naming the top guy in the division at that, tells you how confident his camp is in his unbeaten resume heading into negotiations.

What happens next depends on how quickly a deal with the UFC, or another promotion, actually comes together. Until then, Topuria's name being attached to this is speculation from one side of the table, not a fight anyone has made.