Tag: Umar Nurmagomedov

Beating Umar Nurmagomedov ‘Easier Than Expected’ At UFC 311, Says Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach

The coach of Merab Dvalishvili expected the UFC bantamweight champion to face more adversity when sharing the Octagon with Umar Nurmagomedov. The pair collided in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, which marked the MMA leader’s very first numbered event of 2025. Their co-headliner went the distance and collected Fight of […]

The coach of Merab Dvalishvili expected the UFC bantamweight champion to face more adversity when sharing the Octagon with Umar Nurmagomedov.

The pair collided in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, which marked the MMA leader’s very first numbered event of 2025.

Their co-headliner went the distance and collected Fight of the Night honors, with defending champ Dvalishvili ultimately emerging with his hand raised and the 135-pound gold still in his possession.

While the Dagestani challenger enjoyed a strong start inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome, the Georgian’s renowned pace and cardio ultimately proved to be the difference across the final three rounds.

Though he’d have no doubt expected that to be the case, one of the champ’s coaches admitted the victory over Nurmagomedov on Jan. 18 came more comfortably than he had foreseen during a recent appearance on Submission Radio.

“No, (nothing surprised us), not at all,” Syndicate MMA’s John Wood said. “He did what I thought he would do, and maybe he broke his hand in the first round, maybe he didn’t, who knows. I don’t think a broken hand affects your cardio from the last I checked. I don’t think your hand and your lungs are connected, so I don’t think that played into anything. And who cares? It’s a fight, that’s what happens.

“If anything, the only thing I’d say is it was maybe easier than expected,” Wood continued. “That’s not being disrespectful (to Nurmagomedov), it’s how good Merab is, and I really want people to start noticing that.”

Nurmagomedov evidently sees things differently.

After initially questioning the judges’ scorecards during his Octagon interview, the previously undefeated Russian doubled down on that take in his latest remarks.

He’ll now look to work his way back to a second championship opportunity and the chance to achieve redemption against “The Machine.”

Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach Erupts Over Nurmagomedov’s Bizarre Blame Game After UFC 311!

Merab Dvalishvili's Coach Erupts Over Nurmagomedov's Bizarre Blame Game After UFC 311!Merab Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wood, isn’t interested in hearing Umar Nurmagomedov’s excuses. Immediately after suffering the first professional loss…

Merab Dvalishvili's Coach Erupts Over Nurmagomedov's Bizarre Blame Game After UFC 311!

Merab Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wood, isn’t interested in hearing Umar Nurmagomedov’s excuses.

Immediately after suffering the first professional loss of his mixed martial arts career, Nurmagomedov claimed that he had broken his hand in the opening round of Saturday’s co-main event in Los Angeles. Since then, Nurmagomedov has shared both images and a video of the injury.

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Dvalishvili’s Coach throws shade at Nurmagomedov

During an appearance on Submission Radio following Dvalishvili’s impressive performance at UFC 311, Wood poured cold water all over Nurmagomedov’s broken-hand blues, suggesting that the injury didn’t cause the Dagestani to fade in the latter rounds.

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“I mean maybe he broke his hand in the first round maybe he didn’t who knows and I don’t think having a broken hand affects your cardio,” Wood said. “Last time I checked I don’t think your hand bone and your your lungs are connected, so I don’t think that that really played into anything and who cares, it’s a fight that’s what happens you know.

“Maybe you throw a punch wrong or somebody turns their head or you hit someone, that is the name of the game you know.”

Nurmagomedov won the first two rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards but proceeded to surrender the last three stanzas as Dvalishvili’s unrelenting pace proved to be too much for his previously undefeated challenger.

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But if you ask Nurmagomedov, he doesn’t think he lost the fight at all.

‘I Don’t Think I Lost’ – Umar Nurmagomedov Makes Bold Statement Following UFC 311 Defeat

'I Don't Think I Lost’ – Umar Nurmagomedov Makes Bold Statement Following UFC 311 DefeatUmar Nurmagomedov thinks he did enough to leave Los Angeles with the bantamweight belt. The little cousin of lightweight…

'I Don't Think I Lost’ – Umar Nurmagomedov Makes Bold Statement Following UFC 311 Defeat

Umar Nurmagomedov thinks he did enough to leave Los Angeles with the bantamweight belt.

The little cousin of lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov suffered the first loss of his mixed martial arts career on Saturday night after reigning 135-pound titleholder Merab Dvalishvili shut him down during the championship rounds.

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It was a tough pill for the now 18-1 fighter to swallow, as evidenced by his comments on Instagram 24 hours after the loss.

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“There are no excuses,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “InshaAllah I will become the champion. The rest is not important. Praise Allah in any situation. And I don’t think I’ve lost this battle even if the whole world will convince me otherwise.

“Deal with the injuries and get back on track. InshaAllah.”

During his post-fight interview, Nurmagomedov revealed that he had broken his hand at some point in the opening round. Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, later shared a snapshot of the Dagestani’s swollen appendage on social media.

Khabib sends a word of encouragement to Umar Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was in the corner for his cousin’s first UFC title opportunity, shared some words of encouragement following the setback.

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“@umar_nurmagomedov keep your head up Junior, you showed yesterday that you are one of the best in the world, at the moment we have a lot to work on, work on the mistakes and get back to the title race,” Khabib wrote.

Umar Nurmagomedov Doubles Down On Belief He Beat Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 311

In the co-main event of UFC 311, Umar Nurmagomedov suffered the very first defeat of his career. For the first time in 19 fights, his opponent was the better man on the night following an instant classic title bout against Merab Dvalishvili at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Nurmagomedov may have failed to capture […]

In the co-main event of UFC 311, Umar Nurmagomedov suffered the very first defeat of his career. For the first time in 19 fights, his opponent was the better man on the night following an instant classic title bout against Merab Dvalishvili at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Nurmagomedov may have failed to capture the bantamweight belt at the first time of asking but he still gave a good account of himself when facing the current best in the world. He won the first two rounds on two of the scorecards and it was only until the pace and output of Dvalishvili started to really become a factor that the fight started to slip away from his control.

There’s no doubt that he will come back better from this and whilst he has repeatedly said that he isn’t making excuses for the defeat, the 29-year old did reveal in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that he thought he won the fight despite seemingly breaking his hand in the first round which limited him over the five rounds.

Nurmagomedov has since doubled down on both of these points via his own social media platforms by putting out a short statement to reflect on the fight. Whilst he is now focused on recovering from his injuries and getting back to it, he believes that we should have heard “And New” leave Bruce Buffer’s mouth on Saturday night.

“No excuses. InshaAllah I will become a champion. Nothing else matters. Praise be to Allah in any situation. And I don’t think I lost this fight. Even if the whole world convinces me otherwise. I’ll deal with my injuries and get back into action. InshaAllah.”

Umar Nurmagomedov Doubles Down On Belief He Beat Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 311

In the co-main event of UFC 311, Umar Nurmagomedov suffered the very first defeat of his career. For the first time in 19 fights, his opponent was the better man on the night following an instant classic title bout against Merab Dvalishvili at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Nurmagomedov may have failed to capture […]

In the co-main event of UFC 311, Umar Nurmagomedov suffered the very first defeat of his career. For the first time in 19 fights, his opponent was the better man on the night following an instant classic title bout against Merab Dvalishvili at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Nurmagomedov may have failed to capture the bantamweight belt at the first time of asking but he still gave a good account of himself when facing the current best in the world. He won the first two rounds on two of the scorecards and it was only until the pace and output of Dvalishvili started to really become a factor that the fight started to slip away from his control.

There’s no doubt that he will come back better from this and whilst he has repeatedly said that he isn’t making excuses for the defeat, the 29-year old did reveal in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that he thought he won the fight despite seemingly breaking his hand in the first round which limited him over the five rounds.

Nurmagomedov has since doubled down on both of these points via his own social media platforms by putting out a short statement to reflect on the fight. Whilst he is now focused on recovering from his injuries and getting back to it, he believes that we should have heard “And New” leave Bruce Buffer’s mouth on Saturday night.

“No excuses. InshaAllah I will become a champion. Nothing else matters. Praise be to Allah in any situation. And I don’t think I lost this fight. Even if the whole world convinces me otherwise. I’ll deal with my injuries and get back into action. InshaAllah.”

Khabib Posts Supportive Message To Umar Nurmagomedov After UFC 311 Defeat: ‘Head Up, Junior’

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has encouraged cousin Umar Nurmagomedov to keep his head held high following a first career setback in Los Angeles this past Saturday night. The 29-year-old made the walk inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome for his opening title opportunity on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, looking to become the latest undefeated […]

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has encouraged cousin Umar Nurmagomedov to keep his head held high following a first career setback in Los Angeles this past Saturday night.

The 29-year-old made the walk inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome for his opening title opportunity on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, looking to become the latest undefeated Nurmagomedov to hold gold in a leading promotion.

Unfortunately for the Dagestani, he failed in that quest at UFC 311. Instead, Merab Dvalishvili successfully maintained his position on the bantamweight throne, emerging victorious from a memorable five-round battle to record his first defense.

Having suffered his first defeat as a professional and exited California without the belt in his possession, Nurmagomedov will understandably be disappointed.

His coach, mentor, and cousin, however, is confident of making the necessary fixes to ensure a successful title challenge down the line.

“Head up Junior, yesterday you showed that you are one of the best in the world,” Khabib wrote in an Instagram post. “At the moment we have something to work on, we will work on the mistakes and return to the title race”

“The Eagle” had a busy night in LA, cornering two other fighters at UFC 311.

Tagir Ulanbekov opened the night in strong fashion for the team, taking Clayton Carpenter’s 0 by way of a convincing decision. And another member of the Dagestani contingent closed out proceedings, with Islam Makhachev retaining his lightweight title via submission at the expense of Renato Moicano.

Alongside his supportive words toward Umar, Khabib also praised the work of both Makhachev and Ulanbekov.