“It’s going to be cocky if I say (Dvalishvili) is easy money,” Nurmagomedov told the UFC. “I think he’s not. He’s a good fighter. But hardest challenge in my division I think is Cory. This fight was hardest in my life.”
The 28-year-old is yet to taste defeat in his career and while he knows it’s always a possibility, he just doesn’t see Dvalishvili as the fighter to do it.
“He will not (beat me),” Nurmagomedov said. “I can’t imagine how he will beat me. He can’t hold me. OK, maybe he will take me down one time, but he has to hold me there. He can’t. He has to punch.
“It’s not going to be how he did always. I’m not the person who will go crazy. I can wrestle, too. Don’t forget about it, but I can finish you. If he gives me his back, I’m going to choke you. Be careful.”
Like Khabib Nurmagomedov, manager Ali Abdelaziz sees UFC 311 title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov retiring undefeated.
Like [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag], Dominance MMA manager [autotag]Ali Abdelaziz[/autotag] sees [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] retiring undefeated.
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in the UFC 311 co-main event Jan. 18 from Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
“The Young Eagle” is following in the footsteps of his cousin Khabib, who hung up his gloves as an undefeated UFC lightweight champion in 2020. Not only does Abdelaziz see Umar mirroring Khabib’s success, but potentially surpassing him.
“There’s no doubt in my mind Umar will be a champion at 135 pounds, and I believe Umar is going to be a champion for a long time,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “I think Umar is the only guy who can really challenge Khabib’s record. He can retire undefeated, 29-0, 30-0. Of course he has a tough opponent, but I believe Umar is better everywhere.”
Many took issue with Nurmagomedov getting a shot at Dvalishvili after just one ranked win over Cory Sandhagen. Abdelaziz clarifies that Nurmagomedov was willing to fight anyone at anytime to strengthen his resume for a title shot.
“Umar is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen,” Abdelaziz said. “He is so good everywhere, and he’s so humble and so nice. He was offered Merab in Madison Square Garden and he said yes. He was offered Merab in December and he said yes.
“He was offered Dec. 14, Song Yadong, he said yes. He was offered in January Song Yadong and he said yes. After that, the UFC came and said, ‘Merab, Jan. 18,’ and he said yes. He’s been saying yes to everybody. He was willing to fight ranked, not ranked. He just wanted to fight.”
UFC CEO Dana White revealed that after Dvalishvili continuously dismissed Nurmagomedov as a worthy title challenger, he stormed into the UFC Performance Institute and demanded to fight him. Abdelaziz thinks Dvalishvili had no choice.
“Obviously Merab did not want this fight, he didn’t think Umar deserves it,” Abdelaziz said. “I think Merab’s just like, ‘Everyone’s pressuring me.’ The UFC is pressuring him, media is pressuring him, fans are pressuring him, and he’s a man. Sometimes you have to defend your turf. His turf is his title. He was pushed into this fight, he did not want this fight, he didn’t think Umar deserves this fight.
“He said he stormed into the (PI), listen, at the end of the day, he was going to fight Umar regardless. There was nobody else. Fight him now, March, April, May. Maybe he said, ‘You know what, this is what I want to do right now. I want to shut everybody up, and I want to fight Umar.’ Merab is tough. He’s a very tough guy. It’s a very tough fight. He’s on a 10-fight winning streak for a reason, but I believe Umar is going to beat him everywhere.”
Umar Nurmagomedov hopes Merab Dvalishvili makes it to their fight at UFC 311.
[autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] hopes [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] makes it to their fight at UFC 311.
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in the Jan. 18 co-main event from Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Dvalishvili has been vocal about not wanting to fight Nurmagomedov, deeming him as an unworthy title challenger. When asked if he worries that Dvalishvili doesn’t make it, Nurmagomedov didn’t rule out the possibility.
“I will not (be) surprised, and nobody will (be) surprised,” Nurmagomedov told the UFC on the possibility of Dvalishvili pulling out. “Even right now I saw commentary or on Twitter they said he will pull out, but he never pulled out before. I hope he will not, and the fight is going to happen.”
Dvalishvili, willing to run things back with Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan, rubbed Nurmagomedov the wrong way. He thinks Dvalishvili knows the challenge he faces ahead of him.
“I think he just wants to fight with a real guy he can beat,” Nurmagomedov said. “It doesn’t mean I’m really going to 100 percent go inside the cage and smash him, no. He knows other guys, he will beat. With me, it’s going to be hard. That’s why he’s trying to be a champion for a long time, and he wants to fight with O’Malley, with Petr Yan, or someone else because these guys, easy money. Me, no. For me, he has to go deep waters. With me it’s going to be a long night. I will not give him takedowns, he will not control me.
“I have good skills, striking skills, and I can make for him a lot of problems. That’s why, but when we go inside the cage, I will not think he’s scared of me. I will know that this is a man who will try to beat me, I will try to smash him, and it’s going to be a battle. What I understand is he doesn’t want to take a risky fight. He can beat me, it can happen. It’s not going to break me. I will be same Umar. Fight is fight. Everybody can lose. …If we’re talking about scared, I just think he doesn’t want to take risk, hard fight.”
He crowned two UFC champions and helped others further their MMA careers. That’s why Mike Valle is MMA Junkie’s 2024 Coach of the Year.
[autotag]Mike Valle[/autotag]’s work has been seen in premiere MMA for a long time. However, 2024 was the year when his coaching really stood out.
The veteran trainer, who operates out of Chicago with VFS Academy, helped create two UFC champions this year and helped further the trajectories of other UFC and regional fighters.
Valle’s most notable work came through [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag], who captured the UFC welterweight title after one of the longest and toughest title campaigns in the promotion’s history. It was also enforced by [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] reclaiming her UFC women’s bantamweight belt, and prospect [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag]’ resurgence.
Belal Muhammad
Muhammad didn’t have it easy. The promotion didn’t favor him like they have with some of their other fighters, such as Sean O’Malley or Darren Till. There was no fast track to the belt. The general MMA fanbase, at least the majority of it, wasn’t vouching for him to get his due, either.
Valle stood by Muhammad’s side, knocking off one contender after the next. After a 10-fight unbeaten streak, which spanned five years, “Remember the Name” finally got his much deserved shot at UFC gold.
On July 27, 2024, Muhammad traveled to enemy territory to challenge British champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 304. To many’s surprise, not only did Muhammad win, but he dominated Edwards over the course of 25 minutes, mixing up his striking and wrestling flawlessly.
Muhammad, the team captain of VFS, added the first UFC undisputed title to Valle’s 2024 run. It was a big moment for Valle and the whole team, who campaigned and supported Muhammad for years.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C998vARNn_M/?hl=en
Julianna Peña
It’s hard to become champion, and many say it’s even harder to stay champion. But statistically speaking, not many are able to win a UFC belt after losing it a first time, and that’s exactly what Peña did.
Peña stunned the MMA world in late 2021 after dethroning the greatest female MMA fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes, in a giant upset submission win. She then returned in July 2022 in an immediate rematch against the Brazilian, only to lose her belt in dominant fashion.
After losing the belt, the sport didn’t see Peña back in action until October 2024. Peña returned from injury after over two years of inactivity against defending champion Raquel Pennington. It felt like a lot what stacked against the “Venezuelan Vixen” yet she was able to leave UFC 307 as champion.
Sure, it was a highly debated decision, but it was a close, competitive fight where Peña did enough to get the on the right side of the opinions that matter. Peña added the second UFC title to Valle’s 2024. It was a big moment for the team.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB1d2ZnpreS/?hl=en
Ignacio Bahamondes
Watch out lightweights, “La Jaula” is back.
After going 1-1 in 2023, Bahamodnes needed a big year if he wanted to re-spark the hype that he generated with his entry through Dana White’s Contender Series. Bahamodnes fought twice, picking up two highlight-reel finishes and two $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses.
Bahamondes knocked out Christos Giagos in May and then pulled off an upset TKO win over Manuel Torres in September at The Sphere. Bahamodnes, 5-1 in his past six outings, is knocking on the door of the UFC lightweight rankings.
Sep 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Manuel Torres of Mexico (red gloves) fights Ignacio Bahamondes of Chile (blue gloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Honorable mention
[autotag]Javier Mendez[/autotag] and [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] have won MMA Junkie’s Coach of the Year before, and the pairing will be a big staple for many years to come given their stable of fighters.
Although they didn’t win Coach of the Year in 2024, they were in the conversation and had to be mentioned.
Between Mendez and Khabib they have several fighters under their wing, but three specifically stood out: [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag], and [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag]. These three went undefeated in 2024, and picked up very important wins.
Makhachev fought once, successfully defending his UFC lightweight title against the always tough Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302 in June. It was a wild fight, one of the best championship fights in recent memory, and Makhachev was able to end it by submission.
Umar competed twice, defeating Bekzat Almakhan in March and then Cory Sandhagen in August. This 2024 run, paired with what he’d done in years prior, got him a title shot against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18. This was Umar’s biggest year in his career.
Usman only fought once, but in that fight he was able to stay undefeated and retain his Bellator lightweight title. Usman dominated Alexandr Shabliy to win a unanimous decision back in September at Bellator Champions Series 4.
Two title defenses, and one title shot. Not a bad 2024 for Mended and Khabib as coaches.
Luke Rockhold expects Umar Nurmagomedov to pose serious problems for Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311.
[autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag] expects [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] to pose serious problems for [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] at UFC 311.
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in the Jan. 18 co-main event from Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Rockhold, who trained with Nurmagomedov at American Kickboxing Academy, says “The Young Eagle” represents the new wave of talent from the Nurmagomedov school. Rockhold acknowledges Dvalishvili’s relentless grappling, but sees Nurmagomedov having an answer for everything he throws at him.
“This is a tough matchup,” Rockhold said on the “JAXXON Podcast.” “Merab’s just a tricky, tough, hard-nosed dude, so it’s like he’s got to work around him. I mean, he can outstrike him, and he can not get outwrestled. I think that’s where Umar can win. He can beat him everywhere, really. He can outstrike him, and then Merab can shoot in. Umar can counter him and get to his back. I’m telling you, he is better than him everywhere.
“Merab might have the wrestling advantage in some way, shape or form, but not. Umar can counter him, but it’s going to come down to determination. Think about it. You’re like, it’s a tough matchup for Umar, but then you start really looking at it. He’s going to outstrike Merab, and then Merab is going to get frustrated and shoot in. Umar’s going to counter him, he’s probably get to a dominant position, and it’s going to go back up. I don’t see that fight going any other way.”
According to DraftKings, Nurmagomedov is a sizable -290 favorite to remain unbeaten and dethrone Dvalishvili, who’s a +235 underdog.
Deiveson Figueiredo sees Merab Dvalishvili pulling off an upset title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in the first UFC title bout of 2025.
[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] sees [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] pulling off an upset title defense against [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the first UFC title bout of 2025.
Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) will put his bantamweight strap up for grabs against the unbeaten Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 311 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Although he’s the reigning champion on a 12-fight winning streak inside the octagon, Dvalishvili finds himself as the betting underdog to Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. There is much hype around Nurmagomedov’s potential greatness, but 135-pound contender Figueiredo (24-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) expects the belt to stay put.
“I tend more for Merab,” Figueiredo told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “The reason I do this is his striking is not refined, but he manages to tire people and confuse people so he can get them down. On the other hand, Umar is a guy that knows how to submit from the bottom, so there is that risk for Merab. But after five rounds, I see Merab’s hand being raised.”
Figueiredo will be keeping a close eye on things as UFC 311 unfolds. He would’ve likely been next to challenge the winner if not for a November loss to Petr Yan, but Figueiredo is still pushing for the belt.
Although he is open to returning to flyweight for a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja, the Brazilian said his preference is to stay at bantamweight and look to add another divisional title to his resume.
“I’m focused on being the 135 champ,” Figueiredo said. “I have some adjustments to make. The 135 title, I’m focused on that. I’m going to make some adjustments to my game and reinvent myself and get that title.”
[lawrence-related id=2794815,2793912,2793905]
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
Merab Dvalishvili claims he was denied access to the UFC P.I. for injury treatment because Umar Nurmagomedov was already inside.
[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] continues to believe [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is being given special privilege by the UFC after a frustrating experience Monday at the UFC Performance Institute.
According to Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), he was denied entrance into the facility in Las Vegas because Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), whom he meets for his bantamweight title at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), was already present in the building and security wanted to avoid any potential issues.
“I’m here out front of the UFC P.I., and security don’t let me go in because they said, ‘Umar Nurmagomedov is inside,’ and they are protecting him,” Dvalishvili said on Instagram. “Don’t worry, guys. I’m not going to smash him before the fight. But Jan. 18, different story. I’m not able to go in UFC P.I. because I was supposed to get treatment for my injury, I was supposed to sign some cards, I was supposed to eat lunch with my friends. What the heck? I’m going to smash this guy because of all the disrespect, all the lies he was saying.
“You better show up, Umar. Today you’re protected. Don’t worry, I’m not going to punch you before the fight. Jan. 18, no one will protect you.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD8ACFLy7AF
Dvalishvili has shown extreme aggression toward Nurmagomedov and what he believes is an undeserved shot at the title. He felt Nurmagomedov was rushed to the belt off the back of his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov’s name, but has vowed to shut down the hype when they clash. There was much tension between them earlier this month at UFC 311 on-sale press conference, and for Dvalishvili, this latest incident only fuels the fire.
Dvalishvili did not reveal if he would eventually be granted access to the UFC P.I. and his rehab treatment, and how long he would have to wait for his departure.
The reigning UFC champ didn’t seem thrilled with the situation regardless, and it adds another layer to the title showdown with Nurmagomedov in less than one month.
“I think that Umar probably will win,” Sandhagen told Middle Easy. “I just can’t really see a path for Merab to win. I don’t think that he’s going to be able to strike with him, but I also don’t think that he’ll be able to take him down and control him like he was able to do against O’Malley and against other guys. I just don’t really see a path to success for Merab. I think Umar is likely going to defend a lot of those shots, keep it in the striking realm, and just kind of – Umar’s a sniper, man.
“People don’t really realize just how fast that guy is and how good he is and how his kicks come out of nowhere. Fighting a guy like Merab will be a good opportunity for him to show off a little bit and just because Merab’s been talking a lot of sh*t, I kind of want to watch Merab get served up a little bit by a guy who is supposed to be a wrestler but wasn’t able to wrestle me, but Merab’s still saying that I was a gift and stuff. So, I’m on Team Umar now.”
Sandhagen: Dvalishvili ‘acting a little ridiculous’
Sandhagen is also not a fan of Dvalishvili’s constant dismissal of Nurmagomedov as a worthy title challenger.
“Merab is just acting a little ridiculous,” Sandhagen said. “Here’s what I believe the fans are like: There’s obviously a lot of types of fans, but I think what the fans want us to be the most are fearless competitors who are not afraid to go out and fight and put their lives on the line, and whoever it is in front of them, they believe that they can win. That’s what the fans deep down in their heart really want.
“They want to be inspired. There’s nothing inspiring about being like, ‘No, I don’t want to fight this guy for this reason,’ or ‘I want this guy because I already beat this guy.’ People are not stupid. They pick up on those things, and that’s just my personal belief. Fans really want people who are going to go out, fight like hell, be entertaining, and they want them to be fearless and inspiring.”
This situation feels all too familiar to Aljamain Sterling.
[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] believes UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] is being rushed to defend his title.
Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the UFC 311 co-main event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
After claiming the bantamweight title this past September at UFC 306, Dvalishvili was looking to take some time off. However, he wound up booked against Nurmagomedov earlier than he wanted, and Sterling is bothered that Dvalishvili wasn’t given more time to prepare for his first title defense.
“This fight is being made on six weeks’ notice? Maybe six-and-a-half,” Sterling said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “For a title fight? I understand having to do that if you’re a challenger, but as a champion, you shouldn’t be relegated to those type of stipulations. It’s just not right.
“Then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth as in, ‘Why did I work so hard to get to this position to call the shots or some of the shots?’ And you’re not even getting a fair shake in it. Hopefully we go out there – knock on wood – Merab does his thing, he takes (Nurmagomedov’s) 0, puts on a great performance, and we can move on from this and on to the next.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov firmly believes Umar will show out and expose Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311.
[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] defends [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s title shot at UFC 311.
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in the Jan. 18 co-main event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Dvalishvili was never sold on Nurmagomedov as the No. 1 contender and wanted more time to prepare for his first title defense. His discontent was evident during the recent UFC 311 pre-fight press conference, and Nurmagomedov thinks the pressure of being champion has already gotten to “The Machine.”
“This is his problem, Merab’s problem,” Nurmagomedov said in a recent press conference (h/t Red Corner MMA). “I think when he was beginning his career, he was acting good. When he became champion, he cannot deal with this because life changing. Before champion and after champion there is two life. You have to deal with this.
“About Umar (getting a) gift, Umar is 18-0, and he’s on a six-fight win streak in the UFC, and they gave him a very tough opponent in his last fight, five-round main event vs. Cory Sandhagen. I think Umar deserve. I don’t know why Merab nervous. Umar here not because he is my cousin. He’s here because he’s 18-0 and 6-0 in the UFC. Umar wants to create his legacy. He will show January 18. He will show why Merab nervous.”
