Ahead of his first title crack, Umar Nurmagomedov has named his toughest rounds to date at 135 pounds. One would think it’s Merab Dvalishvili, given that’s who the challenger meets at the UFC 311 co-headliner from Inglewood, (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN). But no – it’s Cory Sandhagen!
This was a go-to wrestler-versus-wrestler skill test, right after UFC 306. A Judo black belt and multiple-time sambo champ, the Georgian is a pure hot-head scrambler with excellent chain attacks and lean-ins. However, Dvalishvili made a constant effort to fight anyone but Umar Nurmagomedov, a sizable -345 favorite. That is not why he chooses Cory Snadhagen out of spite though; the Elevation Fight Team fighter posed his challenges inside the clinch.
It’s going to be cocky if I say he [Dvalishvili] is easy money…I think he’s not. He’s a good fighter. But hardest challenge in my division I think is Cory. This fight was hardest in my life.
Umar Nurmagomedov to Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA (@ESPNMMA)
At 18-0 MMA and 6-0 UFC, the 28-year-old is yet running undefeated. Nurmagomedov knows that he can taste defeat any day now. But he does not consider Merab Dvalishvili to be the toughest challenge, yet. Cory Sandhagen provided him with some tit-for-tat technical grapple exchanges when he defeated him at the UFC on ABC 7 headliner to become the No. 1 contender.
The matchup did not leave up to a certain wow factor on the slate. But it had high technical pockets of action. It was Nurmagomedov’s first ranked win as well; which is what Dvalishvili alludes to, to put in more work. As for the Russian himself, his camp and corner think he’d be a sure prop to be bantamweight champion and more.
UFC 311’s Umar Nurmagomedov ‘only guy’ to pass Khabib’s legendary 29-0 record
Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz sees Team Khabib fighter Umar Nurmagomedov going undefeated and retiring. Nurmagomedov challenges the bantamweight gold ad UFC 311 pay-per-view against Merab Dvalishvili. If he does snag gold, it’d fulfill a long-standing dream for the Dagestani dynasty. But Abdelaziz sees Umar’s legacy as meaning more than just that.
UFC 311’s Umar Nurmagomedov believed to surpass a big legacy (Source: X)“The Young Eagle” is following in the footsteps of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib hung it up as the undefeated UFC lightweight champion in 2020, winning accolades and Best submission ESPYs. His undefeated tenure has been hard to mirror ever since. Abdelaziz knows a guy.
There’s no doubt in my mind Umar will be a champion at 135 pounds, and I believe Umar is going to be a champion for a long time…I think Umar is the only guy who can really challenge Khabib’s record. He can retire undefeated, 29-0, 30-0. Of course he has a tough opponent, but I believe Umar is better everywhere
Ali Abdelaziz to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn
Others have come close. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev even strung up a 14-fight streak and surpassed Khabib. But his overall dominance and undefeated run has been one to behold. His manager considers Umar Nurmagomedov a good bet over it.
There have been complaints from many, including the champ about him getting a title shot after just one ranked win. However, Abdelaziz presents that his fighter was willing to fortify his resume by fighting anyone in between. He said yes to Merab in December and to Song Yadong. Then there came a significant push from brass to support his title shot. Come this January 18, Umar will try to bank on that resolve, in full force.
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