NAMES TO WATCH AT PFL NEW YORK

My picks are live on Verdict:
https://verdictmma.com/event/pfl-ny2026-nurmagomedov-vs-colgan

Post-Event Recap

Fights: Not the most exciting night of fights, but they were pretty competitive for the most part. The main event delivered, while Dakota Ditcheva’s performance may be viewed as lackluster by many. It certainly wasn’t a highlight-reel performance.

Production: Definitely not a small-show, regional-level production, but there were some strange choices. Jake Paul was met with boos at every opportunity the crowd got. They kept dragging him out for interviews and having him stand alongside fighters after their bouts. Not good.

They also held long-form interviews with the brass during fighter walkouts multiple times, and the interviews were irrelevant to the fighters who were actually coming out.

The pacing was really good, and we were out by 7:50 p.m. CST. My only other complaint is that two camera operators had trouble framing the fighters because they were zoomed in too far. The type of shot they were attempting is not uncommon in gold-standard UFC production, but you could tell they were either inexperienced or unfamiliar with the sport.

They would also use an ’80s-style close-up of a damaged leg and then slowly zoom out to reveal the other fighter. That might work in a product showcase, but not in a live sporting event.

These are pretty petty complaints on my part, but I think they are fair criticisms. Overall, I give the event a 6/10.

Main Card (3/4 PICKS CORRECT)

Lightweight Championship: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Archie Colgan (PICK: USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV) ✅

R1: After a lackluster co-main, let’s see what this one has to offer. Both meet in the center. Frequent kicks right away from Nurmagomedov. Colgan is pressuring, though, with feints and jabs. Colgan just fired off a right hand that nearly landed. Keep an eye out for that, but Nurmagomedov landed a couple of shots. Side kick to the body from the Russian. Inside leg kick. Outside leg kick. Jab lands. Colgan crashes forward, but nothing comes of it. Back to center, and the Russian starts firing kicks again. Colgan has a mouse under his left eye. Body shot from Colgan, and he slips. Strong front kick from Nurmagomedov. Again. And again. Colgan is red below the sternum. Two more front kicks and a jab. Left hook from Colgan knocks Nurmagomedov off balance. Back to the feet. Nurmagomedov lands—was that a question-mark kick!? Colgan is wobbled, and a left hook drops him. Colgan gets back up, eats an uppercut, and falls back down. Another uppercut lands while he’s on his knees. THE REF STOPS IT.

RESULT: USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV WINS VIA ROUND 1 KNOCKOUT

Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva vs. Denise Kielholtz (PICK: DAKOTA DITCHEVA) ✅

R1: They meet in the center. They’re doing the leg-kick dance at each other. Dakota with a jab, teep, right straight, and outside kick to the thigh. Kielholtz is landing these inside leg kicks sometimes when Dakota jabs. Pretty nice, but it’s not going to be enough. Dakota is so much longer. Kielholtz is committing to these leg kicks, though. The camera operators are zooming in way too far in a couple of these corners, and it’s making me angry. A right hand lands for Dakota, but Kielholtz ties her up and tries for a head-and-arm throw. Jack Slack is somewhere screaming into the void. A huge knee lands for Dakota at the end of the round. It looks like Kielholtz may have folded over, but the camera work is atrocious. Competitive round, but ultimately, it’s 10-9 Dakota.

R2: Body kicks immediately from Dakota, and Kielholtz reacts. Dakota tries to close in and capitalize, but Kielholtz ties her up, trips her, and gets her to the mat. Huge for Kielholtz, but she can’t maintain it. Dakota kicks out, and they’re back to their feet. A left straight lands for Dakota. Dakota switches stances and lands a right hand from southpaw, followed by a left straight. They hit the cage, Dakota lands more shots, and they break away back to the center. Now they’re back against the cage as Kielholtz tries to grapple. They return to the center again. Dakota throws a right hand and crashes into the clinch with Kielholtz. Dakota gets her to the ground and starts throwing punches and elbows from half guard. Kielholtz clamps down with an overhook to stop the shots. Dakota stands up and lands a head kick while Kielholtz lands an inside leg kick in an awkward exchange. Kielholtz is still committed to these inside leg kicks whenever she can catch Dakota sitting down on her punches. Dakota lands several good shots, and they’re back on the ground with Dakota on top. She’s in side control, trying to land some shots. 20-18 Dakota.

R3: So far, this is not the dominant performance many were expecting, but Dakota is still winning. Inside leg kick from Kielholtz to start. Dakota front-kicks Kielholtz in the face. Head-kick follow-up. Kielholtz is tough and LANDS A SPINNING ELBOW. Dakota eats it and doesn’t look rattled at all. The stream cut out, so I’m not sure what happened for the last minute, but there are 2:15 left in this round. Dakota is in the clinch, landing knees. The story of this fight so far is Dakota throwing kicks, then crashing into the clinch whenever she throws hands, where they both try to find success. Kielholtz is able to land leg kicks at range and some punches when they tie up. That is not going to be enough. The crowd is booing. Dakota happily picks Denise Kielholtz apart at range with the better strikes. It’s not too surprising an outcome, but MVP and PFL are expecting huge things from Dakota. As I wrote below, Denise Kielholtz is no novice. She has an extensive background in kickboxing and judo and possesses enough experience to punish carelessness.

30-27 Dakota Ditcheva

RESULT: DAKOTA DITCHEVA WINS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER DENISE KIELHOLTZ

Lightweight: Amru Magomedov vs. Angel Alvarez (PICK: AMRU MAGOMEDOV) ✅

R1: Both meet in the center. Southpaw vs. southpaw. Magomedov is the first to strike with a leg kick. Magomedov is now circling on the outside and working kicks at all levels. Alvarez stumbles while throwing a punch, and Magomedov kicks the leg out from under him. He is relentless with the kicks. Alvarez leaps into range and throws a combination, but nothing lands. A teep from Magomedov lands cleanly and pushes Alvarez back. Alvarez is having a really tough time getting inside. Now they are clinched after crashing into each other. Alvarez pushes Magomedov against the cage. Some punches and knees land from both sides in the clinch. Back to center. Magomedov lands knees from the double-collar tie—very Makhachev-esque. Magomedov knocks Alvarez to the ground after another leg kick. These kicks are brutal. Alvarez gets back to his feet, though, taking an occasional deep breath but still looking game. Magomedov appears to have kicked Alvarez right in the jellybeans. There’s a break with 1:11 left in the round. The replay definitely shows the cup elevate—ouch! Time in. Magomedov goes right back to the kicks. He almost lands a lead-leg head kick. Alvarez still can’t get into range, and Magomedov is making him pay with all these kicks. They clinch, and Alvarez presses Magomedov against the cage, but he is not in control. Magomedov gets the double-collar tie, and the bell rings. Dominant round for Magomedov. 10-9 Magomedov.

R2: Let’s see what Alvarez can do this round. His leg looks terrible. Magomedov is throwing a jab and cross now alongside his kicks. They tie up. Alvarez misses a trip and pays for it. Back to getting picked apart with kicks. Magomedov takes a chance by throwing a 1-2 and misses. These kicks are brutal. Alvarez can barely stand after a kick and almost drops to the mat, looking like McGregor, but he stays up. Magomedov kicks the leg again, and Alvarez goes down. Magomedov follows him to the mat and takes side control. Alvarez grabs a single leg from his knees while Magomedov punches the side of his head. Alvarez is trying to get up without taking too much damage, but Magomedov is Magomedov-ing. Magomedov is sitting on Alvarez’s head and punching him in the face for a moment. Alvarez is doing his best to cover up and move, which is actually pretty impressive, but now Magomedov is in full mount. Elbows and punches are raining down. Alvarez is doing his best to cover up, but the ref has seen enough and calls it off.

RESULT: AMRU MAGOMEDOV DEFEATS ANGEL ALVAREZ VIA TKO IN ROUND 2

Light Heavyweight: Moustapha Diakhaté vs. Darryl Walker (PICK: DARRYL WALKER) ❌

Jake Paul talks over Moustapha’s entire walkout, which would’ve been dope.

R1: Diakhaté takes the center immediately. A jab lands and wobbles Walker. Walker is still alive. Walker lands a knee on the inside. Diakhaté catches a kick and turns it into a takedown. Walker gets back to his feet. Walker throws a kick, and it lands on Diakhaté’s head. These guys are crashing into each other. This is wild. Another takedown for Diakhaté. He’s in half guard and lands an elbow. Commentary reminds us that Walker took this fight on very short notice. Walker recovers full guard for a moment. Diakhaté lands damaging ground-and-pound, and the ref is forced to stop it.

RESULT: MOUSTAPHA DIAKHATÉ WINS VIA ROUND 1 TKO

Preliminary Card (4/5 PICKS CORRECT)

Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots vs. Lazaro Dayron (PICK: LAZARO DAYRON) ✅

R1: Both take the center. Stots is in southpaw. They trade inside leg kicks. Stots goes for a head kick. Inside body kick from Stots. Dayron answers with a head kick of his own. Stots is using all the southpaw advantages. He’s trying for the left straight now, but Dayron is slipping it. Dayron tries to sneak in a right hook, but Stots lands a body kick. Dayron lands a clean 1-2. Dayron lands another 1-2, grabs a single leg, and then abandons it. Very nice. A slapping left hand from Stots lands on top of Dayron’s head. Dayron lands another clean right hand. A jab gets through for Dayron. Stots is reading and not throwing now. Dayron has him biting on feints. Long jab from Stots, but it doesn’t land cleanly. Dayron lands another right hand. Another level change for a single leg from Dayron, and he abandons it again. He’s showing a lot of looks. Stots lands cleanly, gets hit on the break, and appears to land an uppercut, too. Dayron lands a jab. A snapping head kick from Dayron almost gets through. Jab from Stots, followed by a level change and takedown from Dayron. Stots gets up but eats a knee on the way. 10-9 Dayron.

R2: Both take the center. These front kicks to Stots’s knees and thighs are pretty cool. A combination lands for Dayron. Stots throws a jab-head-kick combination, but Dayron blocks it. Dayron jabs and doubles up on the right hand. The jab lands cleanly, but not the power hand. Stots’s left hand barely gets through, though an inside body kick lands cleanly. A snappy right hand from Dayron wobbles Stots for a second. Another right hand lands. Dayron lands a combination, too. He slips on a level change—maybe there was a clash of heads? The 1-2 is landing cleanly for Dayron. They trade inside kicks, and Dayron lands a right hand. Stots is beginning to get picked apart but responds with a clean right hook to the body. They’re just trading in the center of the cage. This is fun. A big overhand right from Dayron barely misses. Stots is staying very measured and patient, but he never really lands cleanly. As I say that, a clean jab lands for Stots. A right hand lands as Stots circles out. Another right hand from Dayron lands cleanly. I think Dayron still had the cleaner, more impactful shots in Round 2, but it was competitive. 20-18 Dayron.

R3: They are back in the center. Good jab from Stots. It’s landing over and over. Dayron tries for a takedown, but Stots shucks him off. CLEAN LEFT STRAIGHT LANDS FOR STOTS. It doesn’t hurt Dayron, but it was absolutely Stots’s cleanest shot aside from the inside body kicks. The jab is still landing cleanly for Stots, but I think he needs a finish. Dayron’s left foot seems strange, but I can’t tell whether it’s because he keeps stepping on Stots’s lead foot. Good combination from Stots that ends with a blocked head kick. Good knee stomp and jab from Dayron. He tries for a takedown but fails. Stots looks fresher and faster in Round 3 so far. Two minutes left. The jab is still landing for Stots. A lead right lands for Dayron. Jab again from Stots. Left hand from Stots. Jab to the body, right hand to the head, and into a takedown attempt from Dayron. Stots is able to get out. Dayron lands a few shots at distance and attempts another takedown, but Stots sprawls and escapes. A couple of hooks for Dayron and another takedown attempt. He looks a bit desperate here, but honestly, it’s not a bad idea because he is bleeding the clock. Stots is defending well, though, and sprawls again, landing shots to the head and a knee to the dome at the end. 29-28 Dayron.

RESULTS: 29-28 STOTS, 29-28 DAYRON, 29-28 DAYRON. LAZARO DAYRON WINS VIA SPLIT DECISION

Bantamweight: Sean Gauci vs. Allan Begosso (PICK: SEAN GAUCI) ✅

R1: Gauci takes the center. Begosso throws a left hook that nearly lands, followed by a nice jab. Good feints from Gauci, but nothing thrown yet. Begosso throws a three-punch combination that doesn’t land cleanly. Gauci lands a great right over the top. Gauci tries for a takedown against the cage, but it fails. Nice jab to the body and head from Gauci. Begosso is now committing to some leg kicks, then throws an elbow down the middle. This is tense. Begosso is landing great leg kicks, and Gauci’s calf is red. Gauci attempts a takedown and gets it in the middle of the cage. Closed guard for Begosso. Begosso is doing good work from the bottom by landing strikes, wrapping up Gauci’s arms, and controlling his posture. Gauci is landing some shots, and it looks like he lands a clean elbow, too. Gauci tries to step into half guard. Begosso grabs for a heel hook, but Gauci circles out into side control. Very competitive first round thus far. Gauci throws about six elbows and lands several good ones. This top control might win him the round. He tries for an arm triangle, abandons it, and finishes with some ground-and-pound. Very competitive first round, but I think Gauci was more effective overall. Begosso is definitely in this fight. 10-9 Sean Gauci.

R2: Gauci takes the center again. Begosso backs up to the cage and commits to circling on the outside while throwing calf kicks again and again. Of course, Gauci takes the opportunity to try for a takedown against the cage. He doesn’t get it. A right hand to the head and a left to the body land for Gauci. He changes levels and pins Begosso against the fence again. A knee to the body lands cleanly for Gauci. An elbow lands for Begosso on the break. Begosso tries a flying knee. I think he just wants some space because his back is to the fence. Begosso is throwing bungalows right now—several combinations, all of which land on Gauci’s guard. Gauci changes levels, elevates on a double leg, and gets a takedown near the center of the cage. He’s in half guard, throwing punches, and might try for an arm triangle. Gauci stays in this position, working for control and scoring with punches. Good, professional work from Gauci on top here. He’s scoring, maintaining position, and staying active as Begosso tries to work his way out. The round ends. 20-18 Gauci.

R3: I temporarily lost my stream. Begosso is throwing combinations, while Gauci stays composed and pushes Begosso toward the cage with feints. Gauci steps back as Begosso throws, changes levels, shoots a double leg, and gets the takedown. They are against the cage. Begosso gets back to his feet, but Gauci takes him down again. They are near the cage, so Begosso could drag himself back up, but Gauci is doing a good job in the half-guard position where he found so much success in Round 2. Gauci turns Begosso’s head away from the cage, and they are now parallel to it. Gauci is doing good work from the top. Very textbook and professional. Begosso almost gets a sweep, but Gauci maintains control and brings him back down to the same position. There are 1:50 left in the round, and the tide does not look to be changing. Begosso’s head is back toward the cage, and he can attempt to push off with his feet or scoot backward, but that seems unlikely at this point because Gauci is controlling him well. Twenty seconds remain in the round, and the story is the same. Same position. Gauci looks very impressive here. 30-27 Sean Gauci.

RESULT: SEAN GAUCI WINS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

175-Pound Catchweight: Jonathan Piersma vs. Omar El Dafrawy (PICK: JONATHAN PIERSMA) ❌

R1: Immediate low single from Piersma. He’s taking shots, but he is committed and gets the takedown. Piersma is in full guard. This is about what I expected, so we should see Piersma stack and attack. Piersma may be cut open from an elbow; blood is dripping. Piersma takes the back as El Dafrawy works his way to his feet. Piersma is backpacking and looking for RNCs and face cranks. Finally, El Dafrawy shakes him off to the side and ends up in Piersma’s full guard, throwing strikes. Good ground-and-pound from El Dafrawy, and that has been the theme of this round. El Dafrawy has been far more damaging, while Piersma has been committed to grappling and positional control. There is no question that El Dafrawy has done much more damage. Piersma gets eaten alive in the clinch to end the round. 10-9 Omar El Dafrawy.

R2: Piersma blocks a kick and gets another low-single takedown. Piersma will need to do damage or be completely dominant this round to catch back up. Piersma works his way to side control. He is really trying for a crucifix—and he gets it. Piersma takes the back now. RNC attempt here, but El Dafrawy is able to fight it off. There are 2:20 left in the round. Piersma has a body triangle and is probably going to be able to maintain this position. The crowd begins to boo. El Dafrawy almost rolls out, but Piersma is able to turn that into mount—and now he’s back on El Dafrawy’s back. The crowd is now chanting, “USA.” They return to their feet. El Dafrawy lands a knee against the cage. Piersma attempts another takedown, but El Dafrawy is able to defend and land punches. He pulls Piersma to the mat and lands punches from everywhere. Lots of punches from El Dafrawy, and I think it’s enough to take the round. Piersma is going to be exhausted heading into Round 3. 20-18 Omar El Dafrawy.

R3: I kind of missed what happened at the beginning because of the PFL graphics, but it looks like Piersma got hit with something, attempted a takedown, and didn’t get it. El Dafrawy pressures with strikes and knees against the cage. El Dafrawy rests in the clinch and tries for more strikes, but he looks absolutely exhausted. Piersma is able to get a takedown, but El Dafrawy reverses the position. El Dafrawy is tired and holding position in the referee’s position, but he is still landing some Chael Sonnen-esque punches to keep scoring. Piersma makes a determined effort to get a kimura, but that’s not going to happen. Piersma climbs back to his feet while taking shots the entire way. He tries for a takedown and ends up on top. He takes back mount and tries for an RNC with 20 seconds left. Small punches from Piersma from back mount. The round ends. 30-27 Omar El Dafrawy on my card.

RESULT: 30-27, 29-28, 30-27 — OMAR EL DAFRAWY WINS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Women’s Flyweight: Montana De La Rosa vs. Tatiana Postarnakova (PICK: TATIANA POSTARNAKOVA) ✅

R1: De La Rosa and Postarnakova test the range while standing in the center of the cage. De La Rosa is the first to press forward with a combination, and Postarnakova steps back with a couple of counters. The most WMMA exchange ever. De La Rosa attempts a stance-switch head kick. A lead hook lands for De La Rosa, and she fakes a takedown, almost Edgar-style. De La Rosa tries the lead high kick again from southpaw, and it glances off Postarnakova’s head. Beautiful inside leg kick from De La Rosa, and she circles out. Postarnakova doesn’t have much to offer. She tries a slow turning side kick that doesn’t land. Meanwhile, De La Rosa is throwing the jab, landing inside leg kicks, and circling out, making herself a difficult target. Postarnakova finally tries for a takedown, but De La Rosa is able to thwart the attempt. They move against the cage, where De La Rosa tries for a head-and-arm throw, I think, but Postarnakova reverses it. They get back to their feet. Postarnakova backpacks, and they return to the ground with Postarnakova still on De La Rosa’s back, attempting RNCs. It’s not a good position for De La Rosa, but the round is ending. 10-9 De La Rosa. (It seems some media members are scoring it for Postarnakova.)

R2: De La Rosa lands an inside leg kick and a right hook at close range. You can tell it stuns Postarnakova, even if only for a brief second. They’re tied up against the cage again, with De La Rosa acting as the aggressor. The crowd is booing as they stall against the cage, which is strange because they were chanting, “USA,” a minute ago. De La Rosa is in the better position, controlling and throwing knees. It would be wise for De La Rosa to separate and return to the center, but she is committed to pressing Postarnakova against the cage and getting the fight to the mat. It’s a very interesting choice, as Postarnakova is looking for her neck. Postarnakova jumps the gilly. It’s tight, but I’m not sure she has it. De La Rosa seems okay. One wrong move and Postarnakova could adjust it, but she lets go instead. De La Rosa is now in a good position for some classic ground-and-pound. De La Rosa has a gilly attempt of her own now. It also looks tight, but it doesn’t quite look fight-ending. Scottish Twister position, but it doesn’t look like much. The round comes to a close. Strange round. 10-9 De La Rosa. (It seems most people may have it 19-19.)

R3: DLR with the leg kick and right hand to start again. It’s been working great. They are trading jabs and crosses. Pstarnakova lands a couple good shots, she fades back and lands another counter as DLR pressed forward. Head kick, more of a foot slap, across Postarnakova’s face. Postarnakova goes for a takedown, DLR reverses and takes the back but Postarnakova rolls and she is nearly in top position. She is in a high half guard but now shes in guard, butterfly hooks for DLR. This is good for Postarnakova WHO I SNOW LANDING NASTY ELBOWS. Thudding! DLR trapped on bottom, unable to find a way to escape and time is running out. DLR almost finds a moment to escape after a triangle attempt but Postarnakova is all over her. Postarnakova landing knees as DLR works her way to her feet. DLR now trying to get this to the ground? Both are exchanging knees and punches from the clinch.
R3: 10-9 Postarnakova. 29-28 Montana De La Rosa but I anticipate it’ll be a split dec for Postarnakova.

RESULT: TATIANA POSTARNAKOVA WINS VIA SPLIT DEC OVER MONTANA DE LA ROSA

Lightweight: Chamy Delva vs. Levan Khabalaev (PICK: LEVAN KHABALAEV) ✅

R1: Delva clinches early. Both against the cage as Devla is the aggressor. Khabalaev able to reverse position after a TD defense and Delva is against the cage. Devla committed to the bodylock. Khabalaev looks to have hurt Delva and he drops to the ground but is still holding that body lock. Delva lets go of body lock, Khabalaev lands another body shot that seriously hurts Delva. Khabalaev with ground and pound. Fight over.

RESULT: LEVAN KHABALAEV WINS VIA ROUND 1 TKO OVER CHAMY DELVA (Knee to the body followed by ground and pound)

Magomedov Heads a Strong List of Rising Talent; Colgan Faces His Supreme Test

THE Professional Fighters League moves into New York on Friday, July 31, with nine bouts on the program and several ambitious young battlers seeking a place among the promotion’s top brass.

The preliminary contests get under way at 3 p.m., Central time, with the main card following at 6. The nine-bout program includes a late light-heavyweight pairing between unbeaten Moustapha Diakhaté and Darryl Walker.

Usman Nurmagomedov’s lightweight championship defense against Archie Colgan tops the bill, but the supporting card contains several names well worth filing away for future reference.

Some are prospects in the strict sense. Others have already reached contender or championship rank. All have something important to prove in New York.

AMRU MAGOMEDOV

The Best Prospect on the Bill

AMRU MAGOMEDOV, unbeaten in ten starts, appears to be the best orthodox prospect on the program.

The 27-year-old lightweight has disposed of eight opponents inside the distance and made a smashing PFL debut by halting Kolton Englund in only 37 seconds. That brief engagement did not tell us everything about Magomedov, but it told us plenty about his intentions.

He comes forward, closes the distance rapidly and applies the familiar pressure-wrestling attack associated with the Nurmagomedov camp. Magomedov, however, is no mere takedown specialist. He handles himself capably on his feet, strikes with authority and appears comfortable carrying the attack wherever the fight may travel.

Angel Alvarez, 11-2, should offer more resistance than Englund did.

The principal question is what happens if Alvarez survives the first rush. Magomedov has looked formidable when permitted to seize command at once. New York may reveal whether he can maintain that pace, make adjustments and remain dangerous after an opponent has spoiled his original plan.

A decisive victory would mark Magomedov as genuine championship timber in the lightweight class.

DAKOTA DITCHEVA

A Champion With Star Possibilities

DAKOTA DITCHEVA can hardly be called a prospect any longer.

The undefeated English flyweight has won all 15 of her professional engagements, nine of them under the PFL banner, and has stopped 12 opponents. She has already captured tournament honors and defeated established international competition.

What remains to be discovered is not whether Ditcheva belongs among the leading PFL fighters. She does.

The question is how far her combination of ability, personality and crowd appeal can carry her.

Ditcheva is tall for the weight, quick with her hands and particularly effective when opponents retreat in straight lines. She strikes in combinations, attacks the body and has shown the poise of a much more experienced campaigner.

Denise Kielholtz is no novice. She has an extensive background in kickboxing and judo and possesses enough experience to punish carelessness. Nevertheless, the match appears favorable to Ditcheva, who should hold the advantages in range, speed and offensive variety.

The condition of Ditcheva’s hands bears watching. Injuries have interrupted her activity and kept her from maintaining the momentum created by her championship run.

Should she return in top form, Ditcheva may be not only the leading woman in the PFL ranks but one of the organization’s most valuable attractions.

ARCHIE COLGAN

The Night’s Biggest Opportunity

NO fighter on the card has more to gain than Archie Colgan.

Colgan enters the championship contest unbeaten in 13 professional bouts. A former collegiate wrestler, he has advanced behind physical strength, steady pressure and the ability to force opponents into exhausting grappling exchanges.

Those weapons have brought him to Usman Nurmagomedov.

Now we shall learn whether they can carry him any farther.

Nurmagomedov presents dangers at every distance. He is long, accurate with his kicks, difficult to hold down and capable of turning an opponent’s desperate takedown attempt into a submission opportunity.

Colgan cannot afford to become impatient. If he shoots from too far away or follows Nurmagomedov around the enclosure without cutting off his escape, the champion may pick him apart.

The challenger’s best chance is to crowd Nurmagomedov, keep him moving backward and turn the contest into a hard physical struggle. That is easier written than accomplished.

Colgan is 31, which makes this a test of the present rather than a promise for the future. There is little time for a gradual climb through the ratings.

A victory would make him an internationally important lightweight champion overnight. A strong showing in defeat could still improve his standing. But this is the bout that will tell us whether Colgan is merely a sound contender or a man capable of defeating the best.

TATIANA POSTARNAKOVA

The Hidden Prospect

TATIANA POSTARNAKOVA may be the most interesting young fighter on the preliminary card.

The 26-year-old flyweight has won all seven of her professional contests. Her opponent, Montana De La Rosa, brings a much less attractive record at 13-9-1, but those figures do not tell the whole story.

De La Rosa has operated against stronger and more experienced competition. She is accustomed to clinches, takedown battles and prolonged scrambles—the very situations that often expose an unbeaten prospect.

Postarnakova will not gain much merely by winning a cautious decision. What matters is how she handles the veteran’s grappling and striking, whether she can escape bad positions and whether she can impose her own game after the first plan has been interrupted.

A convincing triumph would move Postarnakova much closer to the leading PFL flyweights and make her a possible future rival for Ditcheva.

SEAN GAUCI

Speed, Punches and One Big Question

SEAN GAUCI has reeled off eight consecutive victories and carries an 11-1 record into his meeting with Allan Begosso.

Gauci is a quick bantamweight who likes to work in combinations. Once he finds the proper distance, he can increase his output rapidly and overwhelm an opponent before the latter has time to recover.

His recent victory over former Cage Warriors champion Liam Gittins was a useful addition to his record and suggested that Gauci is ready for better company.

There remains one flaw to watch.

Gauci can become careless while attacking. He sometimes remains in range after completing a combination and may leave openings while pursuing a finish. Those liberties can be taken against ordinary opposition. They become costly against ranked men.

Begosso is a reasonable next assignment. Gauci should have the advantage in speed and variety, but the manner in which he conducts himself will be important.

A sharp, disciplined victory should earn him a match with one of the better bantamweights in the organization.

MOUSTAPHA DIAKHATÉ

The Raw Light-Heavyweight

MOUSTAPHA DIAKHATÉ is undefeated, powerfully built and equipped with the sort of physical tools that immediately command attention in the light-heavyweight class.

He has size, strength and genuine hitting power. When he attacks with confidence, he can make an opponent’s evening a short and unpleasant one.

Darryl Walker has accepted the assignment on the revised card, making this more of a showcase for Diakhaté than a complete examination of his ability.

That does not mean the bout is without interest.

Against Walker, attention should be paid to Diakhaté’s balance, patience and punch selection. A young power hitter can often become wild when an opponent refuses to fall at once.

Diakhaté possesses one of the more intriguing physical ceilings on the program. Before he can be regarded as a contender, however, he must meet opponents capable of testing his defense and forcing him beyond his first attack.

LAZARO DAYRON

Prospect or Immediate Contender?

LAZARO DAYRON is 33 years old, which is rather advanced for a fighter still being called a prospect.

His record, however, demands attention.

Dayron is 10-0-1 and has used a strong wrestling attack to move toward the front of the PFL bantamweight picture. In his latest victory he completed seven takedowns, and he previously fought the difficult Danny Sabatello to a draw.

His New York opponent, Raufeon Stots, is the best measuring stick on the undercard.

Stots is a former interim Bellator champion and a complete, seasoned bantamweight. He can wrestle, scramble, box and make tactical adjustments during a contest. He has seen nearly every style and will not be surprised by Dayron’s first line of attack.

Because of Dayron’s age, there is no reason to move him slowly.

Should he defeat Stots in convincing fashion, the “prospect” label ought to be discarded. He would deserve immediate consideration among the promotion’s leading title challengers.

LEVAN KHABALAEV

A Long Lightweight With Finishing Intent

LEVAN KHABALAEV stands 6-foot-2, an unusual height for a lightweight, and has built his early record around quick finishes.

His reach gives him obvious possibilities. A tall lightweight who can strike effectively at the end of his punches and kicks is a troublesome proposition.

Chamy Delva is experienced enough to make Khabalaev answer several useful questions.

Can the tall man maintain his distance when crowded? Can he defend takedowns without surrendering position? Can he keep a steady pace if the early finish does not come?

Khabalaev remains one of the least proven fighters on the card, but he may also be one of the more interesting long-range investments in the lightweight division.

This is the sort of preliminary contest that can introduce a future contender—or expose a fighter whose early record was built against opposition unable to test him.

THREE QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED

THE principal fighter to watch is Amru Magomedov. He appears to possess the best combination of age, skill, finishing ability and championship potential.

Archie Colgan faces the most important test. One victory could completely alter his position in the lightweight world.

Dakota Ditcheva has the greatest possibilities as an attraction. Her ability is already established; the matter now is whether she can remain healthy, active and visible enough to become one of the promotion’s central figures.

Postarnakova is the best concealed prospect on the preliminary bill. Dayron has the strongest veteran examination. Gauci is approaching ranked competition. Diakhaté has the raw materials, while Khabalaev remains an intriguing question mark.

PFL New York may be headed by a championship contest, but the future of several divisions will be operating farther down the bill.

Keep an eye on the youngsters.

One or two may not remain youngsters for long.