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Next opponent lined up
Nurmagomedov is in line to face Mark Striegl at the UFC event scheduled for Oct. 17, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear at this time exactly what weight class this will be contested at or where the event will be held, though it's rumored to be on the UFC's next trip to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Nurmagomedov last competed in December of 2019, losing a unanimous decision to Raoni Barcelos. He had picked up wins in each of his first two UFC bouts prior to that.
It's unclear at this time exactly what weight class this will be contested at or where the event will be held, though it's rumored to be on the UFC's next trip to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Nurmagomedov last competed in December of 2019, losing a unanimous decision to Raoni Barcelos. He had picked up wins in each of his first two UFC bouts prior to that.
Takes a loss in Korea
Nurmagomedov lost to Raoni Barcelos via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC on ESPN+ 23 on Saturday in Busan, South Korea.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov won the striking battle on paper in each of the first three rounds, and an effective jab was seemingly enough to win him that frame. Barcelos turned up the heat in the grappling department in the next two rounds, however, and utilized leg kicks to soften Nurmagomedov's takedown defense. Nurmagomedov spent the fight's final minutes fighting off the submission attempts of Barcelos, and that was the final image in the eyes of the judges. It was just the second career loss for Nurmagomedov, who is just 27 years old and has plenty of time to turn things around.
Nurmagomedov won the striking battle on paper in each of the first three rounds, and an effective jab was seemingly enough to win him that frame. Barcelos turned up the heat in the grappling department in the next two rounds, however, and utilized leg kicks to soften Nurmagomedov's takedown defense. Nurmagomedov spent the fight's final minutes fighting off the submission attempts of Barcelos, and that was the final image in the eyes of the judges. It was just the second career loss for Nurmagomedov, who is just 27 years old and has plenty of time to turn things around.
Gets another crack at Barcelos
Nurmagomedov has been re-booked to face Raoni Barcelos in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Busan on Dec. 21, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov got off to a 2-0 start to his UFC career, but that progress was sidetracked after he withdrew from UFC 237 due to an undisclosed injury. Barcelos ended up picking up the victory over Carlos Huachin on the May 11 card, and is now ready for another chance at Nurmagomedov. It will be Nurmagomedov that enters with slight height and reach advantages, and while he has less official time in the Octagon, he's been the superior defensive striker so far. Barcelos seems to have superior offensive wrestling, but Nurmagomedov has yet to be taken down in his first two fights.
Nurmagomedov got off to a 2-0 start to his UFC career, but that progress was sidetracked after he withdrew from UFC 237 due to an undisclosed injury. Barcelos ended up picking up the victory over Carlos Huachin on the May 11 card, and is now ready for another chance at Nurmagomedov. It will be Nurmagomedov that enters with slight height and reach advantages, and while he has less official time in the Octagon, he's been the superior defensive striker so far. Barcelos seems to have superior offensive wrestling, but Nurmagomedov has yet to be taken down in his first two fights.
Off of UFC 237
Nurmagomedov will no longer face Raoni Barcelos at UFC 237 after being forced to withdraw due to an unspecified injury, Nolan King of Flocombat reports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov had been looking to build on his perfect 2-0 mark in the UFC, but that opportunity will no longer come to pass. Given the tumultuous state of the flyweight division, dropping out of a fight on 10 days' notice is a bit of a risky move, though a move up to bantamweight had all but been confirmed anyway. Meanwhile, Carlos Huachin will step in to face Barcelos instead.
Nurmagomedov had been looking to build on his perfect 2-0 mark in the UFC, but that opportunity will no longer come to pass. Given the tumultuous state of the flyweight division, dropping out of a fight on 10 days' notice is a bit of a risky move, though a move up to bantamweight had all but been confirmed anyway. Meanwhile, Carlos Huachin will step in to face Barcelos instead.
Added to UFC 237 card
Nurmagomedov has been booked to fight Raoni Barcelos in a bantamweight bout at UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro on May 11, Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov has won each of his two first fights in the UFC, and is coming off a victory via first-round knockout over Ricard Ramos at UFC Fortaleza back in February. His opponent, Barcelos, boasts an identical mark as a perfect 2-0 since joining the promotion.
Nurmagomedov has won each of his two first fights in the UFC, and is coming off a victory via first-round knockout over Ricard Ramos at UFC Fortaleza back in February. His opponent, Barcelos, boasts an identical mark as a perfect 2-0 since joining the promotion.