Dana White on Being Interested in Signing Usman Nurmagomedov: ''Sure!''

The race to sign mixed martial arts’ top free agent took an exciting turn over the weekend when UFC CEO Dana White openly addressed the situation surrounding Usman Nurmagomedov. Following the conclusion of the historic UFC Belgrade event in Serbia, White spoke with reporters at the post-fight press conference and could not hide his excitement regarding the undefeated lightweight champion.

When asked directly if the UFC has an interest in pursuing and signing the 22–0 star now that his PFL contract is complete, White did not hesitate. He smiled from ear to ear and answered with a single word: "Sure". To make things even more interesting, White later jumped onto social media and posted a smiling emoji directly in response to a video clip of his answer, sending fight fans into a frenzy online.

While the boss kept his verbal response as brief as possible, his expressive body language speaks volumes. The UFC has a very long and successful history working with the Nurmagomedov family. Usman’s cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a UFC Hall of Famer, his brother Umar is a top bantamweight contender, and his close training partner Islam Makhachev currently holds the UFC lightweight title. 

Khabib recently confirmed on social media that official contract negotiations will begin over the next month to decide exactly where the undefeated champion will fight next. With the PFL trying hard to keep their biggest name and the UFC showing immediate interest, White's simple grin signals that a massive bidding war is officially underway.