Tag: Umar Nurmagomedov

Video replay: ‘UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2’ on-sale press conference

Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov will share the stage at Friday’s UFC 311 press conference.

LAS VEGAS – With tickets set to go on sale Friday, the promotion for the UFC’s first pay-per-view will kick into high gear with a UFC 311 press conference featuring the athletes from the two title fights.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] is set to put his lightweight title on the line in a rematch with [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] in the headliner of the Jan. 18 card at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., while bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] takes on undefeated [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the co-main event.

All four fighters will take the stage for a promotional press conference Friday at T-Mobile Arena, and MMA Junkie will have a live stream beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Check out the video above to see Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) take the stage to answer questions and take part in their first faceoffs.

[lawrence-related id=2790464,2790432]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 311 co-main event

It’s not often that a UFC champion enters a title fight as the underdog, but that is the case with Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov.

Bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] will kick off his title reign when he meets undefeated [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the UFC 311 main event, but could it last only one fight?

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov preview

Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), 33, claimed the 135-pound championship with a largely one-sided unanimous decision win over Sean O’Malley this past September at UFC 306. The victory moved Dvalishvili’s winning streak to 11 fights, which dates back to September 2018 and includes the likes of former champions Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat in his professional career, which began in December 2016. Although 28-year-old Nurmagomedov has been perfect, his resume is chalk full of unknown opponents. But he passed his first test with flying colors last August at UFC on ABC 27, where he outworked Cory Sandhagen to win their five-round main event by clear unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov, 28, is fighting Dvalishvili, 33, despite recently revealing that he fractured his arm and saying January would be too soon. Nurmagomedov is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who also serves as one of his coaches, and older brother to Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov odds

It’s not often that a sitting UFC champion enters a title fight as the betting underdog, but that’s the case here. Despite Dvalishvili being the clearly more accomplished fighter with the more impressive resume, the opening odds are in favor of Nurmagomedov to claim gold.

According to DraftKings, Nurmagomedov has opened as a -198 betting favorite, with Dvalishvili coming back as a +164 underdog.

How to watch Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311

  • When: Saturday, January 18, 2025
  • Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov announced as UFC 311 co-main event

Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight title for the first time against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January.

UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] is set for his first title defense, and it’s against an undefeated opponent.

At UFC 311 on Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) will put his title on the line against [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the co-feature bout. A lightweight title fight, a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, headlines the pay-per-view event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). The promotion announced the fight Wednesday evening.

Dvalishvili captured bantamweight gold in a dominant unanimous decision win over Sean O’Malley in the UFC 306 headliner at Sphere in Las Vegas. Not only will “The Machine” risk his recently-acquired title against Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), but also his 11-fight winning streak which stretches back to 2018.

Nurmagomedov won his first headliner in August at UFC on ABC 7, where he outworked Cory Sandhagen over five rounds for a unanimous decision. Despite recently revealing he fractured his arm and saying he couldn’t fight in January, the undefeated contender will compete for the title in the first pay-per-view of 2025.

The latest UFC 311 lineup now includes:

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan – for lightweight title
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov – for bantamweight title
  • Jamahal Hill vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Rinya Nakamura
  • Bogdan Guskov vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ailin Perez vs. Karol Rosa
  • Sedriques Dumas vs. Zach Reese
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Payton Talbott
  • Bernardo Sopaj vs. Ricky Turcios

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

UFC title contender Umar Nurmagomedov reveals recent arm injury prevented January booking

UFC bantamweight title contender Umar Nurmagomedov revealed why he was unable to schedule a fight in January.

UFC bantamweight title contender [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] revealed why he could not book a fight in January.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), the promotionally-ranked No. 2 bantamweight, has dominated the division since his arrival in 2021. Many expect him to be next up for a shot at Merab Dvalishvili’s title after winning a unanimous decision against Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC on ABC 7 in August. The undefeated Dagestani has not been booked for a fight since.

On the surface, it would appear he has been waiting for the title picture to become clear, as Dvalishvili has seemed uninterested in the fight.

While the uncertain matchmaking could certainly be playing a part in his return, Nurmagomedov revealed in a social media post on Friday that he has recently been dealing with a fractured arm, but is now ready to get a fight on the schedule.

“I had a small arm fracture and couldn’t perform in January,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “My arm is fine now, and I’m open to any offers. Anyone, Anywhere!! @ufc”

Nurmagomedov has recently been linked to rumors of facing Song Yadong in January at UFC 311, which could be the early 2025 matchup to which he was referring.

If Dvalishvili opts for a rematch against Sean O’Malley or Petr Yan, Nurmagomedov, 28, will find himself on the outside looking in, but appears eager to stay active in 2025.

[lawrence-related id=2789434,2788970,2788249]

Aljamain Sterling: Merab Dvalishvili ‘just standing on business’ by dismissing Umar Nurmagomedov

Aljamain Sterling says Merab Dvalishvili not wanting to fight Umar Nurmagomedov is out of principle.

[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] says [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] not wanting to fight [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is out of principle.

UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) was heavily chastised for calling out Petr Yan (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) after he defeated Deiveison Figueiredo this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 248. Dvalishvili already beat Yan before, winning a lopsided unanimous decision where he shot a single-fight UFC record 49 takedown attempts.

Dvalishvili insists that beating just one ranked contender in Cory Sandhagen isn’t enough for Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to earn a title shot, and Sterling defends his argument.

“Some people actually think he’s afraid, which is actually hilarious,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “From what I understand when we talk, Merab is just standing on business, like, ‘Bro you haven’t done anything and I’m supposed to be busting my ass over here?’

“I’m from the same area as you, in relation to the area – the Caucus mountains – and I had to come here and bust my ass just to get a title shot and you’re going to get it off of one win? And I had to fight all these contenders. That’s crazy.”

Nurmagomedov was quick to remind Sterling of his initial stance on who should be next in line for a title shot.

“@funkmasterMMA When you weren’t afraid to speak the truth.”

Sterling explains that when comparing Yan and Nurmagomedov’s accolades and strength of schedule, former champion Yan’s is more impressive.

“I think that was way more dominant than Umar’s performance over Sandhagen, and Yan beat Sandhagen,” Sterling said. “I know you can’t do MMA math, but in terms of notoriety, then technically Yan should jump both of them to be No. 1 as a contender. If you’re using logic, that’s the way that it should go. But if we’re talking strictly what have you done lately, I guess Umar does have the highest credible win.”

[lawrence-related id=2789258,2789105,2788883,2780990]

Video: Professor Merab Dvalishvili gives lesson in ‘Why Umar Doesn’t Deserve Title Shot 101’

UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili broke out the board to explain the science behind Umar Nurmagomedov not deserving a title shot.

Quiet down, everyone. Class is back in session.

The guest speaker today will be professor [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag], who will be teaching a virtual lesson in titleshotology.

In the video below, Prof. Dvalishvili explains the different elements of the periodic table of bantamweights and how they interact with one another.

There will be a quiz following the conclusion of the lesson, so be sure to pay attention. You’ll have to decide for yourselves which championship equation make the most sense.

Is the answer [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]? Is it [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag]? Make sure to use critical thinking skills when determining.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC4vCn0S03q/

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, that’s on you.

Sean O’Malley, Tim Welch put UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili on blast for wanting Petr Yan next

Sean O’Malley doubles down on his accusation of UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili being afraid of Umar Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] has doubled down on his accusation of UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] being afraid of [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag].

After [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) defeated Deiveison Figueiredo in a Fight of the Night battle in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 248 headliner in Macau, his callout was accepted by Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who lauded him for his performance. That set off Nurmagomedov, who, unlike Yan, would present a fresh challenge to Dvalishvili. “The Machine” already defeated Yan by lopsided decision in their March 2023 main event.

“Umar wants to fight Merab in January,” O’Malley said on his “TimboSugaShow” podcast. “Petr wants to fight Merab in March. I want to fight Merab in April. Merab is absolutely sh*tting himself terrified of Umar. He doesn’t want to fight Umar. Now he’s saying he wants to fight Petr. He wanted to fight me. Petr got 50-45’d to Merab.”

O’Malley lost his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili this past September at UFC 306. His head coach, Tim Welch, thinks Dvalishvili as champion is not good for the bantamweight division.

“Think of how exciting and lit the division would be if Merab wasn’t a part of it,” Welch said. “That’s no disrespect. The guy is really good at getting in those positions and getting through the fight. But, man, it would be lit. But the dude’s a serious problem.”

[lawrence-related id=2780990,2778791,2781477,2778537]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Merab Dvalishvili wants Petr Yan rematch at UFC 313 in March; Umar Nurmagomedov reacts

Umar Nurmagomedov ripped Merab Dvalishvili’s character after the champ called out Petr Yan for a rematch at UFC 313 in March.

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] was easily convinced when [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] called for a bantamweight title rematch between the pair after UFC Fight Night 248.

Former champion Yan (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) delivered an emphatic performance on Saturday when he defeated Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision at Galaxy Arena in Macau, and afterward the Russian said his sights are set on reclaiming the belt now held by Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC).

The pair already crossed paths once before in March 2023. Dvalishvili won a lopsided unanimous decision where he shot a single-fight UFC record 49 takedown attempts, landing 11 of them but inflicting limited damage in the process.

[lawrence-related id=2624549,2624187]

It appears Dvalishvili thinks Yan is worthy of a second chance after he since beat Song Yadong and Figueiredo, and even suggested a date of UFC 313 on March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (via X):

Dvalishvili welcoming a rematch drew the ire of [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag], who has already been named the top contender by UFC CEO Dana White. Despite being labeled as such, Dvalishvili has downplayed the matchup with the unbeaten rising star Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), who is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Ultimately, Dvalishvili has repeatedly stated he will fight whomever the UFC deems as the correct opponent in the form of a bout agreement. Still, though, there’s frustration from Nurmagomedov’s side (via X):

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Aljamain Sterling: Umar Nurmagomedov shouldn’t ride cousin Khabib’s coattails

Aljamain Sterling thinks Umar Nurmagomedov needs to earn his own stripes in the UFC.

[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] believes [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] needs to earn his stripes.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), cousin of former undefeated UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag], was declared No. 1 contender after defeating Cory Sandhagen in the UFC on ABC 7 main event this past August. Sandhagen marked Nurmagomedov’s first ranked opponent.

Sterling’s training partner, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), is having a hard time acknowledging Nurmagomedov as his next title challenger. Dvalishvili says he’s been fast tracked, and Sterling thinks that’s largely in part due to being Khabib’s cousin.

“I’m not saying he’s not good,” Sterling said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I love Umar. I think Umar is a great guy, but facts are the facts. I don’t care what your cousin has done. That does not have any bearing on what you have done for the sport. You’ve got to cut your teeth in this game, not riding the coattails of your family’s merit.

“I always say if I have kids, I want to make sure they’re not riding off the coattails of what I do or have done in my life. I want to make sure they’re out there, they’re being go-getters. I think anyone with any type of real self-worth would want to do that, earn their keep. You don’t want to be feeling like the person who’s just here because you were handed an invite vs. actually earning to be at the table. Earn your seat at the table.”

Dvalishvili had to win 10 fights in a row before earning his shot at the title. He dethroned Sean O’Malley to claim the bantamweight title at UFC 306, and despite telling MMA Junkie that he’d be willing to rematch O’Malley in November over Nurmagomedov, “The Machine” clarified that he’ll end up fighting whoever the UFC offers.

Nurmagomedov is eager to fight before Ramadan, which is expected to start at end of February. If Dvalishvili isn’t ready by then, Nurmagomedov is willing to fight once more, and has been linked to a potential matchup with Song Yadong at UFC 311 on Jan. 18.

[lawrence-related id=2781477,2779090,2778791,2778537]

Watch Merab Dvalishvili lose it on UFC 308 fan who suggests he’s ducking Umar Nurmagomedov

New UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili isn’t keen on anyone who thinks he’s ducking contender Umar Nurmagomedov.

ABU DHABI – Think [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] is getting tired already of this [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] storyline?

Just a couple days after he told MMA Junkie there was method to his madness behind the idea that he could rematch former champ [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] next month, but not Nurmagomedov a month later, a fan put him on blast at a Q&A session ahead of Friday’s UFC 308 ceremonial weigh-ins in Abu Dhabi.

The fan wanted to know if new bantamweight titleholder Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who dominated O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at UFC 306 in September in September is ducking Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

And Dvalishvili makes his case pretty clear that not only does he think it makes sense to delay a Nurmagomedov fight – but that he might not even be the next worthy challenger, anyway.

Check out the tense exchange above.

[lawrence-related id=2779090,2778791,2778537]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.