Maybe “The Machine” wasn’t scared?
No. 2 ranked Bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov has been calling for a fight with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Merab Dvalishvili for several months but has been unsuccessful.
However, some news that dropped today (Sat., Nov. 30, 2024) suggests that Nurmagomedov was trying to keep his name relevant because the undefeated Russian revealed he suffered an arm injury.
“I had a small arm fracture and couldn’t perform in January,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “My arm is fine now, and I’m open to any offers. Anyone, Anywhere!!”
I had a small arm fracture and couldn’t perform in January. My arm is fine now, and I’m open to any offers.
Anyone, Anywhere!! @ufc pic.twitter.com/X831CbPV9z
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) November 30, 2024
Now it makes sense why the Russian did not grapple former Bellator Bantamweight champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas at ADXC 6 on Oct. 25, 2024. He was also briefly linked to a showdown with Song Yadong for the main event of UFC Tampa. However, the fight never materialized.
With Jan. 2025 out of the question and Ramadan starting two months later, it is unclear when Nurmagomedov will get his shot at Dvalishvili – especially because the Bantamweight champion believes the undefeated contender does not deserve a title shot.
Nevertheless, Nurmagomdeov is coming off a five-round demolishment of Cory Sandhagen and is sitting pretty with a pristine record (18-0) and is undefeated (6-0) in UFC.
Get ready for several more arguments on social media between the two.