Tag: Umar Nurmagomedov

Cory Sandhagen not intimidated by the ‘superhuman’ Dagestani grappling of Umar Nurmagomedov

SandhagenCory Sandhagen isn’t concerned with the fabled Dagestani grappling skills of his next Octagon opponent. ‘The Sandman’ will look to continue his march toward the top of the bantamweight top ten as he meets undefeated submission machine Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5. Coming off impressive back-to-back wins against Song Yadong and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, Cory […]

Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen isn’t concerned with the fabled Dagestani grappling skills of his next Octagon opponent.

‘The Sandman’ will look to continue his march toward the top of the bantamweight top ten as he meets undefeated submission machine Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5. Coming off impressive back-to-back wins against Song Yadong and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, Cory Sandhagen will look to stop the hype train Nurmagomedov has been riding since making his promotional debut in 2021.

Of course, that will be much easier said than done as Nurmagomedov makes his fifth walk to the Octagon with a perfect 16-0 record, including seven wins by way of submission. As is the case with every man that shares his famous last name, Umar Nurmagomedov plans to put his world-class grappling skills on display en route to a debut in the division’s top five. However, Nurmagomedov’s name and ground game won’t intimidate ‘The Sandman’ who is more than confident in his own skills on the mat.

“Everyone still thinks I suck at wrestling, even though, when you think about it, I can’t really think of a time outside of the (Aljamain) Sterling fight where I was on my back for longer than maybe five or 10 seconds,” Sandhagen told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “The time where I think I was on my back for the longest was against (TJ) Dillashaw, and I ripped his knee in half. So everyone still thinks my grappling isn’t that good.

“The Dagestanis kind of have this aura of being these superhuman people still, and that’s like, not true,” Sandhagen continued. “They’re just doing different things that people haven’t picked up on yet. I have a really good and smart team of coaches to help me navigate that, and then I also have a decent amount of training partners from that type of world that can also help me get really good at it too” (h/t MMA News).

Cory Sandhagen is 4-2 in his last six outings, coming up short against former bantamweight world champions Petr Yan and T.J. Dillashaw. With a win over Umar Nurmagomedov, ‘The Sandman’ could stake his claim for a 135-pound title opportunity once reigning champion Aljamain Sterling settles some business with No. 2 ranked contender Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in August.

Currently sitting in the No. 11 spot on the rankings, a win over Cory Sandhagen would likely thrust Nurmagomedov into the top five and potentially place him in pole position for his first UFC title shot.

Cory Sandhagen reveals hysterical reason for accepting UFC Nashville fight with Umar Nurmagomedov

Cory Sandhagen reveals funny reason Umar Nurmagomedov fight I'm a beast b*tchFormer interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen has revealed a hilarious reason for accepting a fight with the undefeated, Umar Nurmagomedov – atop an upcoming UFC Fight Night Nashville card in August.  Sandhagen, the current #4 ranked division contender, is slated to headline his second consecutive event of this year, having most recently taken main […]

Cory Sandhagen reveals funny reason Umar Nurmagomedov fight I'm a beast b*tch

Former interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen has revealed a hilarious reason for accepting a fight with the undefeated, Umar Nurmagomedov – atop an upcoming UFC Fight Night Nashville card in August. 

Sandhagen, the current #4 ranked division contender, is slated to headline his second consecutive event of this year, having most recently taken main event status at UFC Fight Night San Antonio back in March – defeating Ecuadorian fan-favorite, Marlon Vera in a split decision win.

The victory came as the Elevation Fight Team staple’s second successively to boot, having previously stopped Song Yadong with an eventual fourth round doctor’s stoppage in a headliner at the UFC Apex facility last year.

Cory Sandhagen reveals reasoning for accepting Umar Nurmagomedov fight

And now slated to return against the undefeated, Nurmagomedov, who has so far found opponents hard to come by during his five-fight Octagon tenure, Sandhagen, who puts his status as a top contender on the line against the Russian in Tennessee this summer, gave a rib-tickling reason for taking the bout.

“Hey, I know you guys saw the announcement,” Cory Sandhagen said in a video posted on his official social media. “I’m fighting August 5. against Umar Nurmagomedov. I’m getting a lot of haters, saying, ‘Why would you fight this far down in the rankings?’ He’s going to beat my ass, blah, blah, blah. Two reasons; one, Umar is a great fighter, and I’m not trying to be world champion if I’m not the actual best in the entire world. So fighting Umar is a great challenge and I accept it.”

“And number one;” Cory Sandhagen continued. “Because I’m a beast, b*tch. That’s why. Peace, I’ll see you guys in Nashville.” 

Fighting for a potential slot in the top-5 of the bantamweight ranks, Nurmagomedov, the cousin of former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov – has landed a stunning 16-0 professional record throughout his career.

Most recently featuring back in January of this year in ‘Sin City’, Nurmagomedov stopped the highly-touted Brazilian veteran, Raoni Barcelos with a blistering body kick KO win. 

Javier Mendez calls for UFC alum Khabib Nurmagomedov to return to fighters’ corners: ‘It’s such a huge motivator’

NurmagomedovAmerican Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez clarified details surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement from coaching, suggesting that ‘The Eagle’ never actually said he was walking away from the sport altogether. After going 29-0, capturing the UFC lightweight world championship along the way, Nurmagomedov retired from the sport in 2020 following a title defense against perennial contender […]

Nurmagomedov

American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez clarified details surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement from coaching, suggesting that ‘The Eagle’ never actually said he was walking away from the sport altogether.

After going 29-0, capturing the UFC lightweight world championship along the way, Nurmagomedov retired from the sport in 2020 following a title defense against perennial contender Justin Gaethje. Since then, ‘The Eagle’ has continued to be a constant presence at events while cornering fighters, including reigning 155-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev. However, fans were thrown another curveball when Nurmagomedov seemingly announced his retirement from coaching and was noticeably absent during Makhachev’s UFC 284 superfight with featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski.

As it turns out, Nurmagomedov may not actually be done coaching. Sure, the likelihood of seeing him Octagon-side on Fight Night is slim, but according to Javier Mendez, ‘The Eagle’ still makes an appearance inside the gym from time to time.

“One thing people don’t understand is he never said he wouldn’t coach people,” Mendez told The Schmo. “He said he’s not gonna be in the corner and travel to fight camps because he’s spending time with his family. He never said he wouldn’t come and visit here and there, and train the guys. He never said none of that. He’s still holding to everything he’s ever said (h/t MMA News).

Javier Mendez also confirmed that ‘The Eagle’ has been back in the gym, helping his cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov prepare for a UFC Fight Night clash with Elizeu Zaleski on June 3. With both Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov expected to return later this year, Mendez is hoping that the UFC Hall of Famer will make his way back to the gym and take some of the load off his shoulders.

“He never said never either, so I’m hoping at some point he can come back and help me because him being in the corner is such a huge motivator for the guys and me,” Mendez explained. “Then my job’s easier. I don’t have to worry about hardly anything. I just sit in the backseat and let him drive because he’s a hell of a driver.”

Javier Mendez Believes He Has Another Future World Champon on His Hands with Umar Nurmagomedov

Javier Mendez could be very busy in the near future as he has yet another potential future world champion on his hands with Umar Nurmagomedov. The 16-0 standout is on the cusp of becoming a legitimate contender in the bantamweight division. Speaking on the trajectory ‘Young Eagle’ is on, Mendez suggested it’s just a matter of time before he is facing top-five opponents en route to becoming a UFC world champion.

“Soon to be (champion), we’ve got ‘Young Eagle,’ which is Umar, Khabib’s cousin… He’s gonna be the bantamweight champ,” Mendez said. “Anybody in the top five is the right opponent (for him)… The likelihood of beating him is not in their favor. I don’t see anybody beating him in the bantamweight division.

“We’re training for a fight, we’re just waiting for a fight date… ‘Young Eagle’ Umar will be champ beginning of next year. New UFC bantamweight champion, I’m predicting it,” Mendez continued. “We get a top-five guy in his next fight, and I know he’s gonna beat him. Then the title shot is next. I really believe in my heart that the UFC will do that.”

Merab Dvalishvili turns down May 13. headliner against Umar Nurmagomedov, awaiting result of UFC 288 title fight

Merab DvalishviliFresh off his win over Petr Yan earlier this month, Merab Dvalishvili was reportedly offered a May 13 main event slot against undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. Per a report from Aaron Bronsteter, a representative with Dominance MMA confirmed that Dvalishvili would not accept the offer, citing an injury. Merab Dvalishvili’s manager Oren Hodak confirmed with Bronsteter […]

Merab Dvalishvili

Fresh off his win over Petr Yan earlier this month, Merab Dvalishvili was reportedly offered a May 13 main event slot against undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Per a report from Aaron Bronsteter, a representative with Dominance MMA confirmed that Dvalishvili would not accept the offer, citing an injury. Merab Dvalishvili’s manager Oren Hodak confirmed with Bronsteter that ‘The Machine’ is currently dealing with an injury, but also revealed that his fighter has no interest in committing to anything until May’s bantamweight title fight between reigning champion Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo is in the books.

“Merab just fought and he fought injured. Nothing to talk about until the May 6 (bantamweight) title fight happens anyhow,” Hodak said according to a Tweet from Bronsteter.

‘The Machine’ climbed to the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings following his 25-minute destruction of former 135-pound champion Petr Yan. Apparently, the promotion felt that an adequate reward for his performance against the former titleholder was a main event slot against a fighter still sitting outside of the top ten. Instead, Dvalishvili has his sights set on a bantamweight clash with top contender Cory Sandhagen.

“Merab is interested in tasting that Sandhagen sandwich that was on the menu and comes at a much more high profile extra value meal compared to a guy not even in the top 10,” Hodak reportedly added.

Cory Sandhagen is fresh off a split decision victory over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC San Antonio on Saturday night.

Merab Dvalishvili’s Reluctance to Fight Aljamain Sterling Will Make Him Nothing More Than a Stepping Stone For Other Fighters

With an undefeated record of 16-0, Umar Nurmagomedov is considered by many to be the future of the UFC’s bantamweight division. It appears as though the promotion was attempting to fast-track his status as a title contender at the expense of Merab Dvalishvili by offering ‘The Machine’ a May matchup with the Dagestani standout. That decision was likely influenced by the fact that Dvalishvili has said on more than one occasion that he will never fight his best friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion.

It now appears that Merab Dvalishvili will instead sit back and wait to see what happens at UFC 288 when Sterling puts his title on the line against Henry Cejudo. If ‘Funk Master’ manages to escape the Prudential Center with his title intact, Dvalishvili will be left in limbo and likely used as nothing more than a stepping stone for other fighters given his reluctance to fight the champ.

The best-case scenario for ‘The Machine’ is to see Henry Cejudo reclaim the bantamweight title on May 6. Even then, he could be potentially passed up for a title opportunity in favor of the more marketable Sean O’Malley.

Kamaru Usman Tells Merab Dvalishvili To ‘Embrace’ Umar Nurmagomedov Challenge: ‘I Had Colby Covington’

Following his bantamweight title win in the main event of UFC 306, the promotion was clearly looking to set Merab Dvalishvili up for his first title defense. Joe Rogan asked the new champion what he thought about the match-up with Umar Nurmagomedov, which is likely next for him. Despite the broadcast capturing Nurmagomedov’s reaction live […]

Continue Reading Kamaru Usman Tells Merab Dvalishvili To ‘Embrace’ Umar Nurmagomedov Challenge: ‘I Had Colby Covington’ at MMA News.

Following his bantamweight title win in the main event of UFC 306, the promotion was clearly looking to set Merab Dvalishvili up for his first title defense.

Joe Rogan asked the new champion what he thought about the match-up with Umar Nurmagomedov, which is likely next for him.

Despite the broadcast capturing Nurmagomedov’s reaction live from the Sphere, Dvalishvili didn’t answer the question that had been posed to him.

He instead spoke about having a conversation with Dana White first and later, in his post-fight press conference, stated once again that in his opinion, Deiveson Figueiredo is more deserving of the next title shot.

Kamaru Usman Advises Merab Dvalishvili To Face Umar Nurmagomedov Challenge Head-On

In an interview with Dvalishvili on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Kamaru Usman had offered some words of advice to the title challenger before UFC 306 got underway.

The former welterweight champion said that the Georgian fighter should look to capitalize on his time as champion by securing the biggest fights possible, meaning that he should welcome a fight with Nurmagomedov rather than pointing to alternatives.

During his post-event recap alongside Henry Cejudo, Usman once again stressed why he thinks that Dvalishvili should be pushing for this fight.

Having already made the case that it’s the biggest fight out there for him right now, Usman also believes that this kind of challenge could elevate the new champion.

Every great fighter needs great rivals to push themselves further than before and “The Nigerian Nightmare” believes that Nurmagomedov offers that.

He referenced his own welterweight title reign and how his two tough fights against Colby Covington were highly significant moments in his career that helped take him to another level in terms of popularity and influence within the organisation.

“Merab is not afraid but I know he’s worried about a guy like Umar and sometimes those are the guys that really put you on that next level. Merab might come out there and look like freaking the best we’ve ever seen. So you, and I needed that dance partner. Colby Covington gave me that and so that’s what Merab, at this point, I think if I had any advice for Merab, it’s too embrace that. It’s too embrace that. You’re right, when they did ask him that question, he kinda danced around it.”

Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals What He Said To Enrage Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306

Continue Reading Kamaru Usman Tells Merab Dvalishvili To ‘Embrace’ Umar Nurmagomedov Challenge: ‘I Had Colby Covington’ at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov Points Out Merab Dvalishvili’s Hypocrisy: ‘When Topuria Fought For The Title…’

Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t think newly crowned UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili has been consistent with his views. Dvalishvili secured a long-awaited crowning in the main event of this past weekend’s UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view, held inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere in Las Vegas. The Georgian closed out the show with a dominant […]

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Points Out Merab Dvalishvili’s Hypocrisy: ‘When Topuria Fought For The Title…’ at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t think newly crowned UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili has been consistent with his views.

Dvalishvili secured a long-awaited crowning in the main event of this past weekend’s UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view, held inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere in Las Vegas.

The Georgian closed out the show with a dominant grappling performance to unseat Sean O’Malley from the 135-pound throne, making good on his confident pre-fight predictions to end “Suga’s” reign.

While the Montana native looks to work his way back to the gold in his return down the line, “The Machine’s” focus will soon turn to the start of his divisional rule. And the champ isn’t short on potential threats.

Leading the pack appears to be Umar Nurmagomedov, who seemed to place himself as next in line for a shot by getting the better of Cory Sandhagen in Abu Dhabi last month. The Dagestani was in attendance on Saturday night as his possible next opponent emerged.

Dvalishvili, however, has remained consistent in dismissing “The Young Eagle” as a worthy contender, insisting that Nurmagomedov hasn’t done enough to earn an opportunity over Deiveson Figueiredo.

Nurmagomedov Further Questions Dvalishvili’s Stance On His Title Shot

Amid Dvalishvili’s frequent downplaying of his title credentials, Nurmagomedov has hit back on social media, claiming that real champs do not attempt to “choose” their opponents and urging the Georgian not to duck him.

And in his latest post on the topic, the undefeated contender accused Dvalishvili of hypocrisy by comparing his UFC résumé to date — which “The Machine” has rejected as being title shot-worthy — with that of his friend and compatriot Ilia Topuria before he challenged for the featherweight gold this year.

“When Merab’s friend, Topuria fought for the title, after 6 consecutive wins, and beating only one top 5 ranked opponent Josh Emmet, I don’t remember that Merab was desperately protesting against such ‘unfairness’.”

It remains to be seen what will come in the immediate future for Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov. But with both the Dagestani and the in-form Figueiredo staking their claims, the UFC certainly has a big decision to make.

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Points Out Merab Dvalishvili’s Hypocrisy: ‘When Topuria Fought For The Title…’ at MMA News.