Umar Nurmagomedov will look to add another major title to his team lineup at UFC 311. The “Young Eagle” from the Dagestan MMA dynasty throws down with Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event of UFC 311 on Saturday at the Intuit Dome.
With his cousin, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, paving the way, Umar is ready to shine at UFC 311. However, this has also caused severe backlash from the UFC 135-pound champion. Dvalishvili said he got his title crack opportunity too early, riding off his cousin’s infamy. Umar Nurmagomedov says these are spot characteristics of a ‘fake’ champion.
I, …I mean uh you know uh when the UFC tried to uh tell him about me…when…UFC even…okay, in press in…in press conference people some journalists asked – [he said] uh Peter …Peter Yan, with Figueiredo…the real champion has to take real challenges. Don’t try to avoid be the champion…Next challenger. Okay you have to say it I’m gonna smash him. Not say to he not deserve he have just his name…If I was with just name – I have a lot of cousins in Dagestan too you know. Why they’re not here?
Umar Nurmagomedov to UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) TV Presenter Caroline Pearce
Dvalishvili put on a 10-fight winning streak before getting his crack at gold at last year’s annual Noche. Nurmagomedov became the No. 1 seed for the 135-pound belt after a single ranked opponent at the UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov event headliner. He drew flak for it, with camp Dvalishvili saying he got a “Khabib” preference package. The Dagestani dominant unit does make for a championship-worthy lineup and are good PPV draws in rivalries.
“The real champion needs to take a real challenge” 🤷♂️@UNmgdv calls out Merab Dvalishvili for “avoiding” him up until now #UFC311
🎙️ @CarolinePearce pic.twitter.com/2Tfhp7Y9Mr
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 16, 2025
However, the challenger shuts down the idea. He says a lot of his cousins are “Nurmagomedov” but only he got the push for a title crack. Nurmagomedov’s five-fight winning streak at UFC bantamweight is tied for the third-longest active streak. He has never lost a round yet. The 29-year-old got his breakthrough; now he means to prove himself. Subsequently, he does not feel piling pressure due to his family name.
Umar Nurmagomedov not feeling pressured to live up to family heading into UFC 311
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in a first real title shot at UFC 311 PPV. It’s a busy fight week for Team Khabib. But Nurmagomedov is confident it will be one to remember.
Umar Nurmagomedov has a legacy to live up to, more than just Khabib Nurmagomedov (Source: X)His teammate, UFC lightweight champ Makhachev, faces Arman Tsarukyan. Brother and Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov defends in the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on the 25th. There’s quite a mound of pressure. But none of it is getting to him that would stop him from living out his legacy.
I’m here long time, I’m with them, and we know who we are, …We… We know how we’re ready. I don’t feel pressure. It’s going to be good legacy for us, …When we will become older, we’re going to tell our kids do you know your father was fighting for the title? Our team was great. It’s awesome. I think we’re going to be – our family, our team, going to be like Gracie.
Umar Nurmagomedov during UFC 311 Media Day fighter interviews
The young Nurmagomedov hopes to be as infamous as the Gracie BJJ lineage and Gracie Intellectual Property, LLC. some day. The Jiu-jitsu/Gracie Combatives and Women Empowered® initiatives are global things. Grappling standouts like Mackenzie Dern and Gilbert Burns hail from the family. He hopes that the Dagestani Dynasty and Sambo culture have a similar fate; it all starts with him winning at UFC 311.
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