Tag: Khabib Nurmagomedov

‘One of the best’ Khabib Nurmagomedov responds to Tony Ferguson’s half-Retirement

‘One of the Best’ Khabib Nurmagomedov Responds to Tony Ferguson’s Half-RetirementOne of the greatest rivalries without a conclusion gained some more attention overnight, with former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib…

‘One of the Best’ Khabib Nurmagomedov Responds to Tony Ferguson’s Half-Retirement

One of the greatest rivalries without a conclusion gained some more attention overnight, with former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov wishing former interim champion, Tony Ferguson well in his potential retirement from mixed martial arts.

Featuring on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi overnight in a welterweight return, veteran contender, Ferguson suffered a record-setting eight straight Octagon loss, in the form of a first round rear-naked choke submission loss against Michael Chiesa.

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Laying a sole glove on the Octagon canvas in a potential retirement, Oxnard veteran, Ferguson claimed he would bring the second glove home with him to discuss a career end with his wife and family.

However, just moments later, Ferguson claimed it was not the right time to end his tenure in combat sports, before tossing his glove to a member of the crowd – and alluding to a potential move to a different promotion if Dana White fails to continue booking him.

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“We go figure out something else,” Tony Ferguson told assembled media after UFC Abu Dhabi. “If those fans out there are willing to spend thousands of dollars and fly and come watch me compete somewhere. I guarantee you they’re going to follow me somewhere. And that’s hte humblest thing I can f*cking say, because no matter where I’m at, no matter what I’m doing, I’m going to get better and better and better.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov wishes Tony Ferguson well in retirement

Nevertheless, a former long-time foe of Ferguson’s – the above-mentioned, Nurmagomedov labelled The Ultimate Fighter 13 one of the greatest fighters of all time.

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“It’s not a surprise for me because he’s 40 years old,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said. “I just want to wish him all of the best! He’s truly on the best to ever do it in UFC. I just want to wish him all the best His life is just beginning.”

Do you think Tony Ferguson will retire after his UFC Abu Dhabi loss?

Khabib Names Who He’d Rather Umar Nurmagomedov Fight For The UFC Bantamweight Title Out Of Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili

After having his own run in the UFC as a dominant undefeated champion years ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov is now helping to mentor others toward their own reigns. Islam Makhachev already has secured the lightweight title, and now cousin Umar Nurmagomedov may be next. Umar secured a clear decision win over Cory Sandhagen in the main […]

Continue Reading Khabib Names Who He’d Rather Umar Nurmagomedov Fight For The UFC Bantamweight Title Out Of Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili at MMA News.

After having his own run in the UFC as a dominant undefeated champion years ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov is now helping to mentor others toward their own reigns. Islam Makhachev already has secured the lightweight title, and now cousin Umar Nurmagomedov may be next.

Umar secured a clear decision win over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi. The bout seemingly served as a bantamweight title eliminator, and “The Young Eagle” is most likely next in line to challenge the winner of the Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title fight that takes place at The Sphere on September 14.

Following Umar’s win, Khabib Nurmagomedov was asked about his thoughts on who his cousin might have a better matchup with when it comes to claiming the gold. The former lightweight champion says the undefeated up-and-comer will be prepared regardless of who is holding the title.

That’s not to say he doesn’t have a preference, though…

Khabib Nurmagomedov Says Cousin Umar Nurmagomedov Is Ready To Be UFC Champion

“I want Merab to be honest, because he’s from Georgia. [Dagestan and Georgia are] neighbors. I want Merab to win because it’s going to be a very interesting fight. White papakha vs. black papakha. But if O’Malley wins, it’s going to be white papakha vs. pink papakha.

“He’s going to be good competition for O’Malley. A very good fight, high-level fight for all of the fans all over the world. It’s not easy to beat Umar. And it’s not easy to beat Merab or Sean O’Malley. This is high level. Anything can happen, but in my opinion, Umar is ready.”

Umar Nurmagomedov is now 6-0 in the UFC (and 18-0 overall) since entering the promotion in 2021.

O’Malley, meanwhile, won the bantamweight championship by defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. He retained the title against Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in Miami this past March.

For his part, Dvalishvili has won 10 straight fights, clinching himself a title shot after defeating former champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February.

Continue Reading Khabib Names Who He’d Rather Umar Nurmagomedov Fight For The UFC Bantamweight Title Out Of Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili at MMA News.

Cory Sandhagen ready to apologize to Umar and Khabib Nurmagomedov

Cory Sandhagen ready to apologize to Umar and Khabib NurmagomedovAhead of his return at UFC Abu Dhabi tonight, surging bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen has plans to apologize to…

Cory Sandhagen ready to apologize to Umar and Khabib Nurmagomedov

Ahead of his return at UFC Abu Dhabi tonight, surging bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen has plans to apologize to both opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov, as well as his coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov – claiming he will need to after he beats the Russian definitively in the Middle East.

Sandhagen, the streaking number two ranked bantamweight challenger, has won his last three straight fights – snapping a two-fight losing skid against former champions, T.J. Dillashaw, and Petr Yan.

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Last featuring in Nashville last year, Sandhagen, under the tutelage of head coach, Trevor Wittman, most recently bested Rob Font in a dominant unanimous decision victory. 

Prior to that, Sandhagen turned back both most recent title challenger, Marlon Vera with a decision win, before forcing a doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Song Yadong in two back-to-back main event clashes.

Cory Sandhagen set to fight Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi main event in August
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports & Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Cory Sandhagen vows to hand Umar Nurmagomedov loss

And rescheduled to take on the surging, promotional-perfect contender, Nurmagomedov tonight in the United Arab Emirates, former interim title challenger, Sandhagen claims an apology on his behalf will be in order – when he beats the Russian tonight.

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“I’m gonna prove that I’m better than him [Umar Nurmagomedov],” Cory Sandhagen told Daniel Cormier during a recent interview. “On Saturday, I plan on shaking Khabib’s (Nurmagomedov) hand, I plan on shaking Umar’s hand and apologizing and saying ‘I’m sorry that I had to beat you.’”

“Go win a couple more fights, and we can fight for the belt, that’s how I see it in my head,” Cory Sandhagen explained. “That’s how I’ve been seeing it in my head for the last 12 weeks.”

Competing for an interim bantamweight crown against the above-mentioned Dudinka native, Yan back in 2021, Sandhagen appeared on short-notice in the Middle East, suffering a decision loss over the course of five rounds. 

Who wins tonight in the Middle East: Cory Sandhagen or Umar Nurmagomedov?

Javier Mendez Describes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Evolution As A Coach: ‘He Even Demonstrates Striking Techniques To Perfection’

The biggest fight of Umar Nurmagomedov’s career goes down this weekend and he will have his family right beside him for it. He faces Cory Sandhagen in the main event in Abu Dhabi, where the former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner. After achieving great success as a coach after his […]

Continue Reading Javier Mendez Describes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Evolution As A Coach: ‘He Even Demonstrates Striking Techniques To Perfection’ at MMA News.

The biggest fight of Umar Nurmagomedov’s career goes down this weekend and he will have his family right beside him for it.

He faces Cory Sandhagen in the main event in Abu Dhabi, where the former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner.

After achieving great success as a coach after his retirement, “The Eagle” decided to take a step back for a while before returning to corner Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

He’s now agreed with AKA head coach Javier Mendez that he will corner certain fighters including Makhachev and his own cousins, in undefeated bantamweight contender Umar and the Bellator lightweight champion Usman.

Mendez spoke on fight week about how despite Khabib having some areas to improve as a corner, his ability as a coach is already top notch.

Javier Mendez Says Khabib Nurmagomedov Even Coaches Striking Perfectly

In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Mendez spoke about what it’s like to have coach Khabib back working with him in the corner.

He said that Nurmagomedov, in many ways, has taken up his late father’s mantle in being a figure for all the other fighters in the gym to follow and listen to.

“Khabib is more the leader, he runs everything just like his father did and I come in and I do my little bits here and there. For the most part, I do what I’ve been always doing. I come in and I do my thing and Khabib, in all honesty, has always been coaching these guys even when he was fighting.

“so the only difference this time around for Umar is now he gets to have the great one in his corner also so having him in the corner with me is fantastic. My only thing when he corners is he’s going to go crazy.”

Whilst having Nurmagomedov in the corner is obviously a massive asset, Mendez did say that he has had to give his former student some words of advice in regards to keeping his composure whilst being in the corner.

He said that this is his only real feedback though as the former champion has got all other bases covered, including his ability to teach striking.

“Those are little tiny things that I give him, little things like that, everything else he has. His instruction is great, I mean he even demonstrates the striking techniques to perfection now. He knows. Khabib knows.”

Read also: UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

Continue Reading Javier Mendez Describes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Evolution As A Coach: ‘He Even Demonstrates Striking Techniques To Perfection’ at MMA News.

Will we get Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2? Chael Sonnen has some ideas

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2 was a matchup that MMA fans dreamed of, but seemingly will never obtain….

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2 was a matchup that MMA fans dreamed of, but seemingly will never obtain. Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen has some ideas of why the UFC dropped the ball when it came to negotiating Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2. The blockbuster event that was UFC 229, one of the biggest fight cards in history, could never be repeated.

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2

Coated in bad blood and trash talk, UFC 229 saw McGregor and Nurmagomedov face off for the UFC’s lightweight world title. It was one of the biggest events in combat sports history, with nearly two and a half pay-per-view purchases. In the end, the Dagestani Nurmagomedov was able to defeat Ireland’s McGregor with a submission in the fourth round, via neck crank.

Afterward, chaos broke out in the arena. ‘The Eagle’ attacked Mcgregor’s team after being provoked. Khabib’s team jumped into the octagon and charged ‘The Notorious.’ Due to safety concerns, UFC gold could not be put on Nurmagomedov. Despite the colossal clash, the UFC was unable to book a rematch.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

‘The Eagle’ Khabib Nurmagomedov grew up wrestling in his home of Dagestan, Russia. Just a few years ago he retired from MMA with a perfect record of 29-0-0. Along the way, he was able to defeat notable fighters such as Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Rafael dos Anjos, and, of course, McGregor, among others.

After retiring from MMA and vacating his UFC championship, Nurmagomedov is helping to build up his countrymen through his gym and fight promotion. Repeatedly, the Russian-born athlete has stated that he has no interest in coming back to MMA. Recently, he has been in a little hot water to tax controversies in Russia.

Conor McGregor

The Notorious’ Conor McGregor is one of the most notable figures in MMA history. The Irish-born striker made history when he defeated the legendary José Aldo in only 13 seconds. Afterward, he went up in weight to capture the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez in a flawless performance. Becoming a two-weight world champion changed the face of the UFC.

Most fans know McGregor best for his blockbuster boxing match against all-time great Floyd Mayweather and his multiple wars against Nate Diaz. In his professional career, ‘The Notorious’ has defeated notable athletes such as Max, Holloway, Chad Mendes, Aldo, and Alvarez, among others. Recently, he has been in some legal issues due to various ongoing controversies in multiple countries.

Conor McGregor bids to buy Khabib Nurmagomedov house amid tax issues in Russia

Chael Sonnen on Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2

As sports fans were clamoring for Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2, the UFC seemed unable to book the fight. Nurmagomedov wanted to retire and no amount of money could bring him back. McGregor was embroiled in various disputes and had enough money due to his whiskey business.

But according to Chael Sonnen, former UFC contender, money was never the issue. ‘The Bad Guy’ Sonnen outlines that all the UFC needed to do was adjust the weight class. That would have been enough to finally book the highly anticipated Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2.

“The UFC would’ve got him,” Sonnen said on Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 2, “They would have been able to talk him into that one more. They looked at the wrong numbers. Every time they had a meeting, they brought him more commas and zeros, the wrong number. The number they needed to adjust was the weight class. They could have made it 165 lbs and done whatever they did there. They could have gone 170lbs. They could have gone super fight. They could have done both. They could’ve taken and accepted his belt back and moved him against Conor McGregor for 170lbs… That was the mistake that they made.”

Umar Nurmagomedov Dismisses Parallels In Fight Against Sean O’Malley: ‘It’s Never Gonna Be Close to Khabib & Conor’

Umar Nurmagomedov recently downplayed the comparisons between his prospective bout with Sean O’Malley and the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Umar is poised to face Cory Sandhagen in a highly anticipated bantamweight showdown, with the stakes potentially including a #1 contender spot. This bout will headline UFC Fight Night […]

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Umar Nurmagomedov recently downplayed the comparisons between his prospective bout with Sean O’Malley and the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Umar is poised to face Cory Sandhagen in a highly anticipated bantamweight showdown, with the stakes potentially including a #1 contender spot. This bout will headline UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, taking place this weekend at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

The victor on August 3 is expected to earn the next title shot, facing off against the champion who emerges from the clash between O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC in September.

While the reigning UFC bantamweight champion has undeniably ascended to the ranks of the promotion’s premier attractions, Umar believes that a potential bout with “Sugar” could never rival the intensity of the historic Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor showdown in October 2018…

Umar Believes O’Malley Won’t Cross Lines Compared To McGregor

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Umar weighed in on the potential excitement surrounding a future bout with O’Malley. The 28-year-old Dagestani acknowledged that while their clash would certainly be intriguing, it wouldn’t match the fervor of his cousin’s UFC 229 matchup with “The Notorious”.

He highlighted that the genuine animosity between the former lightweight champions was unparalleled, making their rivalry iconic—an element that simply doesn’t exist in his case.

“It’s never gonna be close like Khabib and the Conor [fight],” Umar said. “Because they have personal hate. He [McGregor] talked bad about religion, family, and everything.”

Umar further remarked that while O’Malley is known for his trash-talking, he believes “Sugar” won’t stoop to the level McGregor did when he apparently insulted the UFC Hall of Famer’s family and religion.

“I see his personality, but I think he’s not too dirty of a person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we fight, it’s like, you know, the Irish vs. Dagestani again. It’s gonna be interesting, but I think it’s not going to be the same… I don’t have a lot of hate. I don’t worry about this man, and I just want to beat him. I just want to take his belt.”

Umar has exceeded expectations in his first five Octagon appearances, maintaining his undefeated streak with dominant victories despite setbacks due to injuries.

After a 13-month hiatus, he made a triumphant return this past March, securing a unanimous decision win over newcomer Bekzat Almakhan.

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