Tag: Umar Nurmagomedov

Sean O’Malley welcomes Umar Nurmagomedov clash after UFC 299: ‘If he becomes a star, that’s the fight I want’

Sean O'Malley eyes title fight with Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC 299 if he becomes a starSlated to headline UFC 299 next weekend, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley claims he is most definitely open to…

Sean O'Malley eyes title fight with Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC 299 if he becomes a star

Slated to headline UFC 299 next weekend, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley claims he is most definitely open to the prospect of fighting the unbeaten, Umar Nurmagomedov in the near future – that’s especially if the Russian can “become a star” which he perceives himself to be.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, headlines UFC 299 this Saturday in Miami, Florida – taking on surging Ecuadorian contender, Marlon Vera in a championship rematch of their first pairing back in 2020. 

Snatching the undisputed bantamweight crown back in August of last year in Boston, Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley stopped the record-setting title reign of Aljamain Sterling, scoring a second round knockout win over the Uniondale native. 

And set to fight Vera next week in ‘The Sunshine State’ – O’Malley has been linked with a title defense against the streaking Georgian force, Merab Dvalishvili should he win in Florida – after the latter scored a title eliminator win over ex-two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo last month at UFC 298.

Sean O’Malley eyes Umar Nurmagomedov fight

Reacting to the above-mentioned Nurmagomedov’s decision win over short-notice opponent, Bekzat Almakhan overnight at UFC Vegas 87, Montana striking ace, O’Malley claimed if the unbeaten Russian could propel himself into stardom, he has no oppositions to fighting him in the future.

“People think I’m avoiding fights, Umar’s (Nurmagomedov) probably the toughest fight [I could take],” Sean O’Malley told ESPN MMA. “I believe I’m a superstar – I believe Umar is a potential superstar. Literally because he has the last name ‘Nurmagomedov’.”

“There’s something there, if he can become a star, that’s the fight I want,” Sean O’Malley explained. 

O’Malley will look to avenge his first professional loss this weekend at UFC 299, after the above-mentioned Chone native, Vera stopped him with a first round ground strikes TKO back in their co-main event slot at the UFC Apex facility four years ago.

Who wins in a future title fight: Sean O’Malley or Umar Nurmagomedov?

Umar Nurmagomedov says fight with Cory Sandhagen expected to happen during International Fight Week

Umar NurmagomedovAfter more than a year on the shelf, Umar Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon on Saturday night, delivering a…

Umar Nurmagomedov

After more than a year on the shelf, Umar Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon on Saturday night, delivering a dominant performance against newcomer Bekzat Almakhan.

After being knocked down in the opening minute, Nurmagomedov rallied back and ran away with the bout with his signature Dagestani-style wrestling. He moved to 17-0 in his mixed martial arts career and signaled that he was ready for a big step up in competition.

“I want to fight with Cory Sandhagen,” Nurmagomedov said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “It’s gonna be a contender fight.”

Appearing at the post-fight press event, Nurmagomedov echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that there is already a date in place for his long-awaited clash with ‘Sandman.’

“Right now, they said we have a date,” he said. “[International Fight Week] with Cory Sandhagen. Before this fight they were talking about this. Cory talked about this and I think it’s going to happen.”

Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov were previously scheduled to meet at UFC Nashville in August, but Nurmagomedov withdrew from the contest. Sandhagen went on to fight Rob Font in the evening’s headline, scoring a unanimous decision to make it three in a row.

Currently, ‘Sandman’ is holding strong at the No. 3 spot in the bantamweight rankings while Nurmagomedov is sitting firmly outside the top 10, residing at No. 13.

Umar Nurmagomedov faces early adversity, wins dominant UD over Bezkat Almakhan – UFC Vegas 87 Highlights

Umar NurmagomedovUmar Nurmagomedov faced some early adversity against newcomer Bezkat Almakhan at UFC Vegas 87, but the undefeated Dagestani standout…

Umar Nurmagomedov

Umar Nurmagomedov faced some early adversity against newcomer Bezkat Almakhan at UFC Vegas 87, but the undefeated Dagestani standout kept his ‘O’ intact with an otherwise dominant performance.

In the opening minute of his short-notice scrap with Almakhan, Nurmagomedov ate a big looping right hand that sent him crashing to the canvas. An overzealous Almakhan swarmed his opponent, but quickly paid the price as Nurmagomedov was able to use his wrestling to recover and dominate the remaining four minutes of the opening round.

That trend continued for the final two rounds with Nurmagomedov flexing his ground game and landing a series of elbow strikes that had Almakhan bloodied and unable to offer much in the way of offense. In the end, Nurmagomedov moved to 17-0 in his mixed martial arts career with his last five victories coming under the UFC banner.

Official Result: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Bekzat Almakhan via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)

Check Out Highlights Against Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Vegas 87:

Conor McGregor mocks Umar Nurmagomedov in scathing attack: ‘4 of your family were on steroids while fighting’

Conor McGregor attacks Umar Nurmagomedov 4 of your family have been caught on steroids fighting UFCDefending his recent inactivity from the Octagon through injury, Umar Nurmagomedov and his family have once more become the…

Conor McGregor attacks Umar Nurmagomedov 4 of your family have been caught on steroids fighting UFC

Defending his recent inactivity from the Octagon through injury, Umar Nurmagomedov and his family have once more become the subject of mocking and an attack from former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor – who pointed to apparent family-wide steroid use from the Nurmagomedovs.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, has been out of action through injury himself since 2021, fracturing his left tibia and fibula in an opening round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.

And as for Nurmagomedov, the number fourteen ranked bantamweight contender has been sidelined since he took home a devastating first round body kick KO win over Brazilian striker, Raoni Barcelos back in January of last year – earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. 

Slated to headline a UFC Fight Night Nashville event back in August against former interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen, Nurmagomedov was forced from the bout due to injury suffered to his shoulder.

Conor McGregor attacks the Nurmagomedovs once again

And receiving the wrath of former two-weight champion, McGregor – who has shared a long-time and explosive rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov’s brother, Usman Nurmagomedov recent anti-doping indiscretion with Bellator MMA was the subject of topic for the Dubliner in a now-deleted post on his official X account. 

“I often get accused of long layoffs in between my fights, but it’s not always up to me,” Umar Nurmagomedov posted on his official X account. “I’m ready to fight on February 17th or March 9th, but now one single fighter in my division wants to fight me.”

“Your younger brother popped for steroids,” Conor McGregor replied to Umar Nurmagomedov. “That’s 4 now out of your family caught on steroids while fighting.”

Report – Cory Sandhagen now faces Rob Font in UFC Nashville headlining fight on short notice

Cory Sandhagen now fights Rob Font at UFC Nashville in headliner AugustCory Sandhagen will now face Rob Font after both of their opponents pulled out for the pairs upcoming fights. Cory Sandhagen was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5 in the main event of a fight night. However, the latter has been forced out from the contest after suffering a shoulder injury during a […]

Cory Sandhagen now fights Rob Font at UFC Nashville in headliner August

Cory Sandhagen will now face Rob Font after both of their opponents pulled out for the pairs upcoming fights.

Cory Sandhagen was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5 in the main event of a fight night. However, the latter has been forced out from the contest after suffering a shoulder injury during a training session. It did not take long for them to find a replacement, enlisting the help of Font to fill in for the 27-year-old Dagestani. 

This was only made possible however, after Font’s original opponent, Song Yadong, pulled out from their August 19 fight at UFC 292. Nothing has been made public regarding Yadong’s injury and when he is expected to make a full return. 

Cory Sandhagen Vs. Rob Font set for main event fight

In a story which was first reported by ESPN on Thursday, and further confirmed by MMAJunkie, Sandhagen and Font will fight one another in the main event slot on August 5. The event will be held in Nashville, Tennessee and the clash will be contested at a 140lb catchweight. The card will also feature a clash between former champion, Jessica Andrade and the undefeated Tatiana Suarez. The rest of the undercard will host a cast of experienced veterans and young up-and-comers such Dustin Jacoby, Ovince St. Preux, Billy Quarantillo and Jake Hadley.

Sandhagen will be searching for his third successive victory, defeating Yadong and Marlon Vera, after dropping two back-to-back losses in competitive and highly entertaining clashes with Petr Yan and T.J. Dillashaw. 

As for Font, he will look to build off his first round stoppage victory over the surging Adrian Yanez in April. While he dropped two decisive losses to Vera and Jose Aldo before that, Font has also captured victories over Cody Garbrandt, Marlon Moraes and Sergio Pettis. 

Who will win come fight night, Cory Sandhagen or Rob Font?

Conor McGregor takes shot at Umar Nurmagomedov for pulling out of UFC Nashville fight: ‘Runs in the family’

Conor McGregor pokes at Nurmagomedov following Umar pull out Runs in the familyFormer UFC champion reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov pulling out for his fight against Corey Sandhagen. Nurmagomedov was around six weeks out from the biggest opportunity of his blossoming career, as the 27-year-old was scheduled to face Sandhagen on August 5. After numerous cries that no one was accepting to fight him, Nurmagomedov would have the […]

Conor McGregor pokes at Nurmagomedov following Umar pull out Runs in the family

Former UFC champion reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov pulling out for his fight against Corey Sandhagen.

Nurmagomedov was around six weeks out from the biggest opportunity of his blossoming career, as the 27-year-old was scheduled to face Sandhagen on August 5. After numerous cries that no one was accepting to fight him, Nurmagomedov would have the opportunity to leapfrog half the division with Sandhagen being ranked No.4.

However, the No.11 ranked Nurmagomedov has been forced to withdraw from the contest after suffering a shoulder injury. The news of course was disappointing to fans, not only because of the intriguing matchup not playing out, but also to not getting to see the highly touted Nurmagomedov the anticipated step up in class.

Conor McGregor reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov’s withdrawal

It’s no secret that Conor McGregor and the Nurmagomedov clan do not see eye-to-eye, and it also probably wouldn’t shock you to learn that Conor McGregor took the opportunity to land a quick jab at the young Nurmagomedov’s expense. 

In a now-deleted Tweet, the Irishman sent out the message ‘C’est de famille’, translating to ‘runs in the family’. 

McGregor has been vocal throughout his career about his disdain for pulling out of fights, in fact refusing to do so on multiple occasions with significant injuries. Even so, it is unfair to criticize Nurmagomedov, or any fighter for that matter, for pulling out due to serious injuries. 

There has been no official time frame for when Nurmagomedov is expected to return to action, and it will be a serious blow to the Dagestani after building up a good run of form and activity last year. 

The UFC have now found a replacement for Nurmagomedov in the form of Rob Font, who will now fight Sandhagen over five rounds.

What do you think of Conor McGregor’s comments?