Latest news with #UmarNurmagomedov
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Umar Nurmagomedov's coach excited to rematch a 'better' Merab Dvalishvili when time comes
ABU DHABI – Javier Mendez looks forward to game planning for an even more improved Merab Dvalishvili if Umar Nurmagomedov can rebound. Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) fell short in his title fight against bantamweight champion Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) at UFC 311 in January. After he revealed he broke his hand early in a fight where he won the first two rounds on two of the three judges' scorecards. During Wednesday's UFC on ABC 9 media day, Petr Yan said Nurmagomedov turned down a fight for the UFC on ABC 8 headliner in Baku, Azerbaijan this past June. Mendez addressed that claim, and gave an update on Nurmagomedov, who's manager Ali Abdelaziz teased has fight news soon. "I was told about that potential matchup, we didn't care who Umar was going to fight," Mendez told MMA Junkie. "We just know we needed a tough guy for us to potentially be back in the picture, but his hand wasn't healed enough to be cleared to go that early. So, we're expecting Umar to be fighting very soon and before the end of the year. I'm preparing to go to camp at the end of this month with Usman (Nurmagomedov). "Usman is defending his title at Coca Cola Arena here against an opponent to be named. I don't know who it is, but I'm sure it's going to be somebody really good. ... Within that training camp, it'll be Umar and Islam (Makhachev), and all the other guys will be in there too. I'll be with all the boys starting August, I'll be in Dagestan in Khabib (Nurmagomedov)'s new gym up in the mountains." Mendez has been super impressed with the improvement shown by Dvalishvili, who notched his second title defense when he submitted Sean O'Malley at UFC 316. "It was a great fight, it was super, super close," Mendez said on Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov. "Unfortunately, things didn't end up going our way, and Merab did a fantastic job. Since then, Merab has gone on to do an unbelievable job. He's gotten better, and I love that. "I love that he's gotten better because if we get another opportunity, we got to get by whoever they give us next. But if we get another opportunity at Merab, I want a better Merab. I don't want an old Merab, I want a better Merab, and that's what we're getting. We're getting a better Merab. Last fight was so, so impressive. I'm looking forward to that challenge if we can get by our next opponent." Mendez broke down what he tactically thinks Nurmagomedov did wrong in his first-career defeat to Dvalishvili. "A big mistake was not telling Khabib and I that he broke his hand because we would have changed the game plan completely," Mendez said. "I keep going back thinking, and I go, God dammit, why didn't I ask him, 'Why did you go in for the takedown?' Because Merab was super strong. Why would you try to go for a takedown when that was not a good idea? "He wasn't in a weak position, but he went in to shoot for a takedown. It hit me. Why – and I still to this day haven't spoken to Umar – was it that when you broke your hand? I'm not sure. The hand broke, but it is what it is. Fighters break hands, they break toes, and they fight and they win." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Merab Dvalisvhili 2 would excite coach Javier Mendez
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 318 winner Vinicius Oliveira rips 'coward' Umar Nurmagomedov, wants Sean O'Malley
NEW ORLEANS – Vinicius Oliveira doesn't think too highly of Umar Nurmagomedov. Oliveira (23-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) picked up a unanimous decision win over Kyler Phillips (12-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the final preliminary bout of UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. The victory extended Oliveira's winning streak to six, while remaining unbeaten in the UFC. Next, "Lok Dog" wants another step up in competition, eyeing a former title challenger and a former champion. "I'd like so much to fight Umar Nurmagomedov, but I'm sure he ran away a long time ago, so he'll never face me," Oliveira told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. "He will fade out behind Ali (Abdelaziz), his manager, but I'd like so much to fight him in October in his country, in Abu Dhabi. ... If he has courage to face me, but he doesn't have courage to face me – he's afriad of me. "So, the next one could be, I think, Sean O'Malley. Sean O'Malley is a real man. I think he will accept this fight. He'll not run away from me." Oliveira's dislike for Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) stems from what he claims was a fight that was supposed to take place last year. After talking trash to each other on social media, Oliveira said Nurmagomedov has since blocked him in order to avoid their verbal exchanges leading to a fight in the octagon. "The fight was supposed to happen a long time ago," Oliveira said. "My first fight here in the UFC, that I fought against (Bernardo) Sopaj, I was without opponents, and he was without opponents as well. I put myself to face him, and he didn't want to face me. ... Nowadays, he has a nightmare with me. When he will sleep, he was thinking about me, so I became his nightmare."
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Merab Dvalishvili sounds off on Umar Nurmagomedov: 'Where is he now?'
The post Merab Dvalishvili sounds off on Umar Nurmagomedov: 'Where is he now?' appeared first on ClutchPoints. Fresh off a remarkable run as bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili has never shied away from speaking his mind on contenders and the ever-shifting landscape of the UFC's 135-pound division. In a candid recent interview, Dvalishvili set the MMA world abuzz with his pointed assessment of Umar Nurmagomedov, a fighter many believe is a legitimate threat but, according to the champion, hasn't done nearly enough to earn the top billing fans and pundits have thrust upon him. Dvalishvili's Message: 'Experience and Activity Matter' Dvalishvili was clear in drawing a line between the accomplished Petr Yan and the up-and-coming Nurmagomedov, stating, 'Petr Yan is better than Umar because Petr has already had many fights with top fighters. He has more experience. He's constantly active, constantly fighting.' The message: real championship pedigree comes not just from talent and potential but from enduring the crucible of the division's elite, night in and night out. 'Umar… we've only seen him fight against me and Cory. He needs to fight the top guys in the division. Sure, Umar is a good fighter, but he needs to stay busy all the time. Where is he now? Why isn't he fighting?' Dvalishvili pressed, echoing concerns shared by some observers who have watched the Dagestani standout's UFC trajectory stall due to injuries and scheduling woes these past seasons. The roots of this critique trace to what Dvalishvili values most in an opponent: activity and résumé. He sees Yan, who has run the gauntlet of former champions and perennial contenders, as a model of what it means to be at the top. Dvalishvili's take is unfiltered but steeped in respect for the grind, and it is this ethic that has carried him to the top of the sport. While acknowledging Nurmagomedov's skills and the brilliance that saw him rise through various levels of competition, Dvalishvili's central argument hinges on a gap in experience against the division's very best fight after fight. In his view, only by staying 'constantly active' and 'constantly fighting', and not disappearing from the rankings for months at a time, can a fighter truly lay claim to elite status. Of course, reacting to Dvalishvili's assessment, some fans have pointed to Umar's impeccable record and precision inside the Octagon; his victory over Cory Sandhagen and his technical acumen continue to turn heads. But for Merab, the proof is in the longevity and level of opposition. The question he poses, Where is he now?, lands with palpable frustration, alluding to a perceived absence that Dvalishvili believes diminishes any claim to a title shot ahead of more seasoned, more visibly active contenders. Merab Dvalishvili 2025 Fighter of the Year As Dvalishvili's career continues to surge, the MMA world recognized his achievements at the highest level when he won the 2025 Fighter of the Year ESPY. Dvalishvili's run through the bantamweight ranks wasn't just about grinding wins; it was about making statements. His victory was marked by consistency, tenacity, and a willingness to engage with every style and every challenge the division could throw at him. Whether defending his belt against top challengers or calling out those hiding in the shadows, Merab's style was assertive, his pace unrelenting. Winning the Fighter of the Year ESPY marked the first time a bantamweight had seized the award in several years, reaffirming his place not just atop the 135-pound landscape, but in the conversation for the best pound-for-pound athletes in the sport today. Furthermore, this achievement underscores the very argument Merab made about Nurmagomedov. Activity breeds recognition. Staying present, taking on all comers, and facing adversity head-on isn't just the foundation for winning titles, it's the path to capturing the hearts of fans and the respect of peers and pundits alike. As the bantamweight division continues to evolve and contenders jockey for the next shot at gold, Merab Dvalishvili's challenge to Umar Nurmagomedov lingers in the air: 'Where is he now? Why isn't he fighting?' For those who believe in the gospel of activity, the answer is simple. In MMA, as in life, you can only silence the critics by showing up and proving yourself, again and again, on the sport's biggest stage. Related: 5 best light heavyweight UFC fighters ever Related: UFC Abu Dhabi suffers major blow as Evloev vs. Pico pulled from card
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Islam Makhachev gears up for a move to welterweight, questions surrounding his lightweight exit continue to stir. Many expected him to face the rising Ilia Topuria in a blockbuster title clash—but that fight never materialized. Now, a new revelation from within Makhachev's camp offers a deeper look into why the bout was bypassed. Advertisement In a conversation captured by Adam Zubayraev and shared by Red Corner MMA, Umar Nurmagomedov—Makhachev's teammate—shared surprising insight. Islam MakhachevGetty Images He revealed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell traveled to Dagestan to personally convince Makhachev to move up in weight so that Topuria could take over as the new lightweight champion. 'He [Hunter] came to see Islam, and they wanted Islam to move up. They want to make Topuria the champ at 155. They believe he can really sell fights,' Umar said. 'Islam doesn't want to give up his belt — he wants to fight at 155 too. Islam can take the 170 title, then return to 155 and hold both belts.' The comments have left fans confused and speculating about UFC's intentions. One post summed it up: 'Lemme get this straight … Hunter came to Dagestan to convince Makhachev to go up? But not fight the BIGGEST FIGHT the UFC can make with him and Topuria?' Others questioned the terms: 'Seems like Makhachev declined the fight then was FORCED to go up…' 'Islam isn't active enough to defend both and I'm sure they gave him a choice either vacate and move up or stay at 155 and fight Topuria'. With tensions simmering between both camps and the storyline only heating up, fans can only hope the fight eventually gets made. When the dust settles on UFC 317—and again when Makhachev squares off with Jack Della Maddalena—we might finally get some clarity. If the stars align, maybe Dana White and the UFC will circle back to the lightweight showdown fans actually want. Until then, all we can do is watch, wait, and keep the Twitter fingers ready. Advertisement Related: Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star Related: UFC Champion Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
17-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Umar Nurmagomedov wants Merab Dvalishvili rematch but 'not holding onto it emotionally'
Umar Nurmagomedov wants Merab Dvalishvili rematch but 'not holding onto it emotionally' Umar Nurmagomedov has his eyes on the UFC bantamweight title – whether or not Merab Dvalishvili is champion. Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) suffered his first-career loss when he was outlasted by Dvalishvili at UFC 311 in January. He broke his hand early in the fight – an injury that required surgery. "I want the rematch," Nurmagomedov said in an interview with Adam Zubayraev (h/t Red Corner MMA). "I want to prove that my broken hand was a factor, that it could have ended differently. Even if we don't meet again or he retires, I still plan to become champion. If the rematch never happens, it won't be a tragedy for me. I'm not holding onto it emotionally." Nurmagomedov won the first two rounds on two of the three judges' scorecards but ultimately lost a close decision. Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) has since submitted Sean O'Malley at UFC 316 to notch his second title defense. "I've hit Merab clean myself. He didn't even flinch," Nurmagomedov said. "Tough guy. He's really hard to knock out. He's got cardio for days, and he's just got brute strength. It's not like he's got advanced grappling skills or submissions – he can't even hold people down properly. He just overwhelms."
