Jake Paul’s MVP-PFL Pitch to Khabib Nurmagomedov Fails in New York

YouTuber‑turned‑promoter Jake Paul attempted to recruit retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight for the newly merged MVP‑PFL promotion during a PFL event in New York. Paul pitched a vision of “changing MMA forever” and offering fighters a better place to live, but Khabib gave a polite but non‑committal response, indicating he remains retired.

Khabib, who left competition in 2020, continues to coach fighters such as his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov, who won his bout at the same event and is now a free agent. Paul’s outreach highlighted his ambition to expand MVP‑PFL, but the effort did not result in Khabib returning to competition.