Umar Nurmagomedov
Russia
Gets right back in win column
Nurmagomedov defeated Mario Bautista via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC 321 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
We last saw Nurmagomedov in January, at which point he was giving UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili all he could handle in a title fight. He got right back to his winning ways here against an opponent in Bautista that entered having won eight straight. As is almost always the case, Umar got his grappling game going early and often. He connected on 11-of-14 takedowns, good for 10:46 worth of control time. Nurmagomedov is a load from top position and nearly impossible to move once he gets in a dominant position. Umar is pretty clearly the second-best bantamweight on the roster at this point, but it would be surprising if the company went right back to him for another title shot. He's almost certainly going to have to win another big fight before getting a second look against Dvalishvili.
We last saw Nurmagomedov in January, at which point he was giving UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili all he could handle in a title fight. He got right back to his winning ways here against an opponent in Bautista that entered having won eight straight. As is almost always the case, Umar got his grappling game going early and often. He connected on 11-of-14 takedowns, good for 10:46 worth of control time. Nurmagomedov is a load from top position and nearly impossible to move once he gets in a dominant position. Umar is pretty clearly the second-best bantamweight on the roster at this point, but it would be surprising if the company went right back to him for another title shot. He's almost certainly going to have to win another big fight before getting a second look against Dvalishvili.
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Will fight at UFC 321
Nurmagomedov will face off against Mario Bautista at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25, MMAFighting.comreports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov is coming off a tough loss against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311 in LA. However, he was riding a lengthy winning streak prior to his latest defeat and now has the opportunity to bounce back with this fight now on the books. Bautista has been enjoying plenty of success himself, fresh off a victory by decision over Patrick Mix at UFC 316.
Nurmagomedov is coming off a tough loss against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311 in LA. However, he was riding a lengthy winning streak prior to his latest defeat and now has the opportunity to bounce back with this fight now on the books. Bautista has been enjoying plenty of success himself, fresh off a victory by decision over Patrick Mix at UFC 316.
Comes up short in title quest
Nurmagomedov came up short in his quest for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 46-49) at UFC 311 on Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
It's the first professional defeat of Umar's career, and it came in the biggest spot possible. That's not to say he fought poorly, but the man he was standing across the cage from is quite literally, "The Machine." Nurmagomedov did enough good work over the first two rounds to believe he was up 20-18. He landed the slightly more damaging blows and found a takedown in Round 2. Yet, as is always the case, Dvalishvili got stronger as the fight progressed, and unfortunately for Umar, he faded. Starting from about the middle of Round 3 onwards, the rout was on. Nurmagomedov was simply too tired to competently handle the overwhelming pressure of the champion. By the time the final bell rang, there was little doubt Umar came up short. There's still plenty of reasons to believe Nurmagomedov is the second-best bantamweight in the world. Unfortunately for him, the No. 1 guy doesn't appear to be giving up the spot any time soon. While it's back to the drawing board now, Nurmagomedov will at least walk away with an extra $50,000 after this back-and-forth affair was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
It's the first professional defeat of Umar's career, and it came in the biggest spot possible. That's not to say he fought poorly, but the man he was standing across the cage from is quite literally, "The Machine." Nurmagomedov did enough good work over the first two rounds to believe he was up 20-18. He landed the slightly more damaging blows and found a takedown in Round 2. Yet, as is always the case, Dvalishvili got stronger as the fight progressed, and unfortunately for Umar, he faded. Starting from about the middle of Round 3 onwards, the rout was on. Nurmagomedov was simply too tired to competently handle the overwhelming pressure of the champion. By the time the final bell rang, there was little doubt Umar came up short. There's still plenty of reasons to believe Nurmagomedov is the second-best bantamweight in the world. Unfortunately for him, the No. 1 guy doesn't appear to be giving up the spot any time soon. While it's back to the drawing board now, Nurmagomedov will at least walk away with an extra $50,000 after this back-and-forth affair was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Sights set on bantamweight title
Nurmagomedov will fight Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, per Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen in August to remain perfect in his professional MMA career (18-0, 6-0 in UFC). His impressive streak has now earned him a shot at the Bantamweight Championship against Dvalishvili, who has won 11 consecutive UFC bouts dating back to 2018.
Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen in August to remain perfect in his professional MMA career (18-0, 6-0 in UFC). His impressive streak has now earned him a shot at the Bantamweight Championship against Dvalishvili, who has won 11 consecutive UFC bouts dating back to 2018.
Victorious in first UFC main event
Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Those expecting Nurmagomedov to roll through Sandhagen without issue didn't get their wish. That said, the way this fight played out may benefit Umar down the road. Unlike past bouts, he wasn't able to overwhelm his opponent with his grappling. Yes, Nurmagomedov did land five takedowns, but his only real ground control time came with just a few minutes remaining. Instead, he displayed the ability to win the vast majority of the striking exchanges between the two men. The constant threat of the takedown allows openings for Umar in the stand-up. It should also be noted that up until this evening, Nurmagomedov's best UFC victory was likely Raoni Barcelos. He jumped to the top of the food chain and took out Sandhagen in fairly dominant fashion. It's only a matter of time before the 28-year-old finds himself challenging for UFC gold.
Those expecting Nurmagomedov to roll through Sandhagen without issue didn't get their wish. That said, the way this fight played out may benefit Umar down the road. Unlike past bouts, he wasn't able to overwhelm his opponent with his grappling. Yes, Nurmagomedov did land five takedowns, but his only real ground control time came with just a few minutes remaining. Instead, he displayed the ability to win the vast majority of the striking exchanges between the two men. The constant threat of the takedown allows openings for Umar in the stand-up. It should also be noted that up until this evening, Nurmagomedov's best UFC victory was likely Raoni Barcelos. He jumped to the top of the food chain and took out Sandhagen in fairly dominant fashion. It's only a matter of time before the 28-year-old finds himself challenging for UFC gold.
Five-round fight scheduled
Nurmagomedov is scheduled to compete against Cory Sandhagen in a five-round bantamweight fight at UFC Abu Dhabi on Aug. 3, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov and Sandhagen were scheduled to compete against each other at UFC on ESPN 50 about a year ago, but the former withdrew because of a shoulder injury. While the Russian bantamweight fought Bekzat Almakhan, Sandhagen was recovering from a tricep injury. Both are healthy now, hence this five-round headliner.
Nurmagomedov and Sandhagen were scheduled to compete against each other at UFC on ESPN 50 about a year ago, but the former withdrew because of a shoulder injury. While the Russian bantamweight fought Bekzat Almakhan, Sandhagen was recovering from a tricep injury. Both are healthy now, hence this five-round headliner.