New and too lively 135-pound champ Merab Dvalishvili continues his ‘Nurmagomedov bad’ parade all into New Year. As in Umar Nurmagomedov who he defends the bantamweight title against at UFC 311 in Inglewood, (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN). Dvalishvili still says that the title challenger is underserving and gets special privileges for sharing a legacy name with cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib though, is nonchalantly ‘Eagle’ eyed towards one goal.
That goal was completing his father’s plans of forging champions. Khabib Nurmagomedov has always been complimentary about Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s part in his lightweight legacy. Abdulmanap had steered and whipped others into shape as well, to be standouts in the MMA game, worthy title challengers even. If at UFC 311’s pat-per-view (PPV) main card headliner, Umar Nurmagomedov wins, he’d be yet another success story.
Islam…[another] guy coming Usman…It’s crazy. It’s crazy. But, we, …we grew with him, like you know, not just like just, you know, …for example like okay – ATT – somebody who was training in Dagestan in 25 years and when he become 26, become UFC champion – he move to ATT – No! It was like somebody was ten years old and father beginning [to] coach….
Khabib Nurmagomedov pre-fight camp FULL SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW with Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudoTripleC)
Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) defended his throne with a fifth-round submission in the June PPV and is a direct protege of Khabib/father Abdulmanap. Makhachev’s 14-fight UFC winning streak is the longest active. His UFC lightweight competition title fight record also ties with Khabib for most in division and is a clear threat for the Men’s Pound-for-pound listing. Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) was also a student.
Other than the reigning UFC 155-pound king and brothers Usman and Umar, Amru Magomedov is also a family friend and student who grew up with them. But now, it’s Umar everyone has eyes on in this high-caliber Dagestani Dynasty. Can he snag gold this January at UFC 311? Khabib has stuff to say on it.
Umar Nurmagomedov will expose ‘nervous’ Merab Dvalishvili, says ‘Eagle’
Khabib’s neck crank domination in 2018 is the largest-selling pay-per-view in UFC competition. His acute fury over ‘Human Highlight’ Justin Gaethje won ESPY’s, Submission of the Year, and other accolades afterward. Khabib Nurmagomedov has won awards based on his career even after leaving active competition. However, the sport is not done talking from the legend.
Khabib Nurmagomedov rips into Merab Dvalishvili before UFC 311 (Source: X)Coach Khabib has cornered friends and family in recent times. ‘The Eagle’ also cornered Belal Muhammad for his TKO win over Sean Brady at UFC 280 and advised him for his UFC 304 title affair. Come UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, he’ll corner both Umar and Makhachev.
Dvalishvili was never cozy on Nurmagomedov as the No. 1 seed for his gold. He even wanted more time and would bill that Umar got a steady title shot riding on Khabib’s name and coattails. The coach disagreed.
This is his problem, Merab’s problem, …I think when he was beginning his career, he was acting good. When he became champion, he cannot deal with this because life changing…Umar is 18-0, and he’s on a six-fight win streak in the UFC, very tough opponent in his last fight, five-round main event vs. Cory Sandhagen…don’t know why Merab nervous…Umar wants to create his legacy. He will show January 18. He will show why Merab nervous
Khabib Nurmagomedov in pre-fight media conference (h/t Red Corner MMA)
Part of bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili’s reasons stem from the fact that the rival has one ranked win en route to title contention. A lopsided nod against Cory Sandhagen in the UFC on ABC 7 headliner in August. However, Khabib counters that he’s a robust 18-0 and 6-0 in the UFC and the brass pushed for his shot. Hence, he also disses that the champ pressure has taken over ‘The Machine’ and come UFC 311, it’d be clear why.
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