Fighters React To Umar Nurmagomedov Knocking Out Raoni Barcelos

Umar Nurmagomedov extended his undefeated record and scored possibly the best highlight of his career when he knocked out Raoni Barcelos at UFC Vegas 67. The matchup between the two bantamweights was one of the more highly-anticipated fights scheduled …

Umar Nurmagomedov extended his undefeated record and scored possibly the best highlight of his career when he knocked out Raoni Barcelos at UFC Vegas 67. The matchup between the two bantamweights was one of the more highly-anticipated fights scheduled for the UFC’s first event of 2023. Things got off to a fairly patient start for…

Continue Reading Fighters React To Umar Nurmagomedov Knocking Out Raoni Barcelos at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov knocks out Raoni Barcelos with unorthodox left hook | UFC Vegas 67 highlights

Umar NurmagomedovUndefeated bantamweight prospect Umar Nurmagomedov KO’d UFC veteran Raoni Barcelos in the first round at UFC Vegas 67. Umar Nurmagomedov, the younger cousin of the legendary UFC lightweight Khabib, opened the main card of UFC Vegas 67. He took on Raoni Barcelos, a man who holds massive respect within the hardcore MMA fanbase. The bout […]

Umar Nurmagomedov

Undefeated bantamweight prospect Umar Nurmagomedov KO’d UFC veteran Raoni Barcelos in the first round at UFC Vegas 67.

Umar Nurmagomedov, the younger cousin of the legendary UFC lightweight Khabib, opened the main card of UFC Vegas 67. He took on Raoni Barcelos, a man who holds massive respect within the hardcore MMA fanbase.

The bout would begin a competitive affair. Nurmagomedov was unable to get his wrestling game going, but avoided the power shots of Barcelos for the most part. However, everything changed in the last minute of the first round. After missing a step in knee, Nurmagomedov threw a left hook, competently catching Barcelos off guard.

The Brazilian was out cold before he hit the mat, although Nurmagomedov still followed up with a straight shot to make sure. The young Dagestani then took to the mic to call out the 135lb division, issuing a challenge to the top 15 for March.

Catch highlights from Umar Nurmagomedov’s knockout win over Raoni Barcelos below:

Sean O’Malley On Umar Nurmagomedov Being ‘Ashamed’ He Is Champion: ‘One Way I Can Become Bigger Than Conor…’

Sean O’Malley recently fired back at Umar Nurmagomedov, who expressed being “ashamed” of O’Malley as the UFC bantamweight champion. Nurmagomedov earned an impressive unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi last weekend, catapulting himself near the top of the division and potentially solidifying his status as […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley On Umar Nurmagomedov Being ‘Ashamed’ He Is Champion: ‘One Way I Can Become Bigger Than Conor…’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley recently fired back at Umar Nurmagomedov, who expressed being “ashamed” of O’Malley as the UFC bantamweight champion.

Nurmagomedov earned an impressive unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi last weekend, catapulting himself near the top of the division and potentially solidifying his status as the #1 contender.

The undefeated Dagestani’s victory potentially positions him as the ideal challenger for “Sugar,” but this matchup hinges on whether O’Malley successfully defends his title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on September 14.

Nurmagomedov is aiming to challenge O’Malley for the belt, hoping the American remains the champion by then. However, he hasn’t held back his criticism, previously labeling O’Malley as a negative influence on the younger generation.

O’Malley is intrigued by Nurmagomedov as a potential challenge, but there might be an even stronger incentive for him to defeat the rising prospect…

O’Malley Aims To Beat Nurmagomedov To ‘Sting’ Conor McGregor

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, O’Malley discussed the potential of fighting Nurmagomedov in the future. His coach, Tim Welch, asked “Sugar” if he could knock out the Dagestani. O’Malley admitted that Nurmagomedov would be a challenging opponent but expressed confidence in his ability to succeed, pointing to his knockout of Aljamain Sterling.

“I could chin anybody in the division,” O’Malley said. “Umar is a tough fight. I thought Aljo [Sterling] was the toughest fight in the division for me at the time, and I knocked him out. I think Umar is probably one of the toughest challenges in the division.”

“Sugar” further remarked that a potential bout against Nurmagomedov could become one of the biggest fights in UFC history, and such a high-profile clash would surely drive Conor McGregor wild.

“I think it makes it an interesting match, but O’Malley vs. Nurmagomedov could be one way I become, you know, bigger than Conor, like I’ve claimed I’ve wanted to be. If I do what he couldn’t do—beat a Nurmagomedov, take away the ‘O’—that would really sting him. He’s already mad at me, jealous, but this would really sting him.”

“The Notorious” has a storied history with the Nurmagomedov family, highlighted by his intense rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov. This feud culminated in a dramatic showdown at UFC 229 in 2018, where McGregor suffered a fourth-round submission loss.

O’Malley has recently set his sights on McGregor as a potential opponent, a surprising turn given their previous admiration for each other, which has now devolved into animosity. This shift followed a series of fiery exchanges on social media.

Defeating a member of the Nurmagomedov family—an achievement that eluded McGregor—could be O’Malley’s way of getting the last laugh at his former idol.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley On Umar Nurmagomedov Being ‘Ashamed’ He Is Champion: ‘One Way I Can Become Bigger Than Conor…’ at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Explains Why Sean O’Malley ‘Might Feel Better’ About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov After His Latest Win

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Umar Nurmagomedov’s latest performance might have made Sean O’Malley breathe a little easier on the bantamweight throne. Nurmagomedov kept his unblemished professional and UFC records intact at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he got the better of Cory Sandhagen in his maiden main […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Explains Why Sean O’Malley ‘Might Feel Better’ About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov After His Latest Win at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Umar Nurmagomedov’s latest performance might have made Sean O’Malley breathe a little easier on the bantamweight throne.

Nurmagomedov kept his unblemished professional and UFC records intact at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he got the better of Cory Sandhagen in his maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage.

The Dagestani utilized his relentless grappling pressure and strong striking to get the better of the ex-interim title challenger and high-ranked contender across five rounds of action inside the Etihad Arena.

The result saw Nurmagomedov rewarded with a sizable climb up the bantamweight pecking order to #2, leaving him behind only upcoming title challenger Merab Dvalishvili in the rankings. With that in mind, the Russian has staked his claim for a shot at the winner of O’Malley’s next defense at the Sphere this fall.

And while Nurmagomedov and some others have suggested the champ will be keen to avoid the undefeated 28-year-old, Cormier isn’t sure that’s the case following his latest display…

Cormier: O’Malley Has Seen Someone ‘Counter’ Nurmagomedov’s Skills

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier reflected on Nurmagomedov’s sixth Octagon triumph and assessed what it could mean for O’Malley.

“DC” stated that, while unsuccessful in his pursuit of a win, Sandhagen somewhat laid out a blueprint for dealing with Nurmagomedov’s ground game. That, Cormier says, could leave “Sugar” more confident in his chances against the Dagestani.

“If I’m Sean O’Malley and I watched last weekend, Chael, I might feel a little better because now I finally saw someone actually counter these skills of Umar Nurmagomedov in terms of the ground fighting,” Cormier said. “Now, dealing with him on the feet is a whole another issue. But if you can fight on the feet, as Sean O’Malley can, you’d think you have a chance.”

Before potentially adjusting his focus to Nurmagomedov, O’Malley must stall the title hopes of Dvalishvili at UFC 306/Noche UFC at the Sphere on September 14.

And even beyond that, O’Malley has suggested the Russian isn’t set in stone as his next fight just yet. The champ has also pointed to the recently victorious Deiveson Figueiredo as a potential challenger, in addition to reiterating his featherweight ambitions.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Explains Why Sean O’Malley ‘Might Feel Better’ About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov After His Latest Win at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov Feels Khabib’s MMA Hiatus Won’t Last Long

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov has given an interesting take on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s MMA leave. Khabib will reportedly leave MMA entirely to focus on his personal life and more specifically, his family. Since leaving the sport as a…

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov has given an interesting take on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s MMA leave. Khabib will reportedly leave MMA entirely to focus on his personal life and more specifically, his family. Since leaving the sport as a fighter in 2020, he’s coached numerous fighters, including Islam Makhachev and his cousin Umar. The latest news…

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Feels Khabib’s MMA Hiatus Won’t Last Long at MMA News.

Umar explains why Khabib Nurmagomedov is taking a step back from MMA: “I’m not surprised.”

Umar Nurmagomedov khabib NurmagomedovIt was recently revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov would be taking another step away from his career in MMA. Umar Nurmagomedov, Kahbib’s cousin, offered further details into this recent news. Dagestan’s Umar Nurmagomedov is an undefeated UFC fighter who is coached by Khabib. Khabib vacated his UFC lightweight title and retired a few years ago. Since […]

Umar Nurmagomedov khabib Nurmagomedov

It was recently revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov would be taking another step away from his career in MMA. Umar Nurmagomedov, Kahbib’s cousin, offered further details into this recent news.

Dagestan’s Umar Nurmagomedov is an undefeated UFC fighter who is coached by Khabib. Khabib vacated his UFC lightweight title and retired a few years ago. Since then he began coaching more actively and running Eagle FC. But recently, news came out that he will soon be even further away from MMA.

Umar Nurmagomedov discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov

Umar Nurmagomedov is booked against Raoni Barcelos upcoming on January 14 at a UFC Fight Night event. During a press interview, the Dagestani athlete Umar told Aaron Bronster:

“I don’t think [Khabib Nurmagomedov] can stop, he will still control me and my brother, some other guys, but not the same (way), he doesn’t want to travel, doesn’t want to come to camps and stay with us for a couple of months. I’m not surprised, we knew and we talked about this. We talked, he gave me advice on the fight, cut weight. Everything the same he just stopped, too many flights… I think it will be the same, we will be training together in Dagestan. Nothing changes we (are) brothers.”

From the sounds of it, Khabib Nurmagomedov will remain active in the gym with his fellow fighters but is reducing the amount he is traveling to spend more time with family. Umar continued:

“He will not travel too much and will take care of himself, his family, his mother. This is very hard, traveling too much, cornering everybody, this is not easy. That is why he made the decision and I’m happy for him… I don’t think he can stop, he will still control me and my brother, some other guys, but not the same (way), he doesn’t want to travel, doesn’t want to come to camps and stay with us for a couple of months.” [Transcript courtesy of BJ Penn]