Demetrious Johnson Advises UFC 321 Star to Ignore ‘Nurmagomedov Aura’ Ahead of Title Contender Fight

UFC legend and former 125lbs champion Demetrious Johnson offers advice to Mario Bautista ahead of the Umar Nurmagomedov bout at UFC 321.

Demetrious Johnson Advises UFC 321 Star to Ignore ‘Nurmagomedov Aura’ Ahead of Title Contender Fight

Demetrious Johnson advises Mario Bautista ahead of UFC 321 (via MMA Fighting)

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The upcoming bout between Umar Nurmagomedov and Mario Bautista at UFC 321 represents a clash between a fighter returning from injury and a rising contender. Nurmagomedov’s training background under his cousin and UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s mentorship adds a unique dimension to the matchup. Demetrious Johnson recently weighed in on this, playing a significant role in the UFC 321 bout.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, a retired former UFC lightweight champion, has maintained influence within the MMA community as a mentor and trainer. He has played a pivotal role in developing the skills of several fighters, including those in the Nurmagomedov family. His presence and guidance continue to impact fight preparation and strategy, especially for athletes training under his guidance or within his camp.

The dominance of Dagestani and Russian fighters has increased significantly in recent years, which was also highlighted by former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Fighters from the Caucasus region often display strong grappling and wrestling skills and are usually undefeated. Johnson recently advised Bautista ahead of his upcoming UFC 321 bout to overlook the history of the Nurmagomedov name.

Do not respect Umar Nurmagomedov. People get kind of aura shy, they are like, ‘Oh man, this is Nurmagomedov, he trains with Khabib.’ When people use to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov they’re like, ‘Oh he’s supposed to take me down so I’m just gonna accept that position.’ They have too much respect for the name.

Demetrious Johnson via Mighty

Bautista, an up-and-coming bantamweight contender, has experienced a rise in prominence due to consistent performances in the UFC. His recent bouts have showcased both his striking and grappling abilities, earning him a notable ranking in the division. However, he has faced criticism for relying on point fighting and using strategic and tactical fighting prowess.

In addition to mentoring Umar, Khabib trains several other top-level fighters, including Usman Nurmagomedov, who is the PFL lightweight champion. He has been rumoured to make a UFC debut for a long time; however, Usman remains undefeated, and the potential move has yet to materialize. Usman was also dubbed as the successor to Islam Makhachev during his time as lightweight champion.

Demetrious Johnson’s observations underscored the broader narrative of the division and emphasized that each bout must be won through preparation and execution rather than reputation alone. The outcome of this fight will not only shape the immediate paths of Umar and Mario Bautista, but also reflect on the bantamweight division, as the bout is being billed as the No.1 contender fight.

Demetrious Johnson compares UFC 321 star Tom Aspinall to Conor McGregor

Tom Aspinall, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, has garnered attention for his exceptional knockout abilities, particularly his precise striking. Since his UFC debut in 2020, Aspinall has amassed an 8-1 record, with the majority of his victories ending in first-round finishes. His most recent bout in July 2024 saw him defeat Curtis Blaydes in under a minute, showcasing his rapid and effective striking.

Demetrious Johnson's Mount Rushmore
Demetrious Johnson (via X)

Demetrious Johnson is known for his in-depth analysis and MMA knowledge on his YouTube channel. Known as the ‘Mighty Mouse’, Johnson showcased greatness in his UFC career and even achieved the rare status of a double champion. Johnson recently highlighted Aspinall’s “X factor,” noting his ability to place shots with pinpoint accuracy, reminiscent of Conor McGregor‘s renowned striking style.

You know who he reminds me of when he does his shot place. It’s kind of like. Conor McGregor – a lot of people said he didn’t hit hard, but he was very accurate with his shot placement. Whereas, I think Tom Aspinall is very accurate with his shot placement. He hits somebody on the same side, he hits them with a knee, and then he’s able to put his feet down underneath him and fire back a one-two , very accurate.

Demetrious Johnson via talkSport

As Aspinall prepares for his upcoming title bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, the MMA community remains eager to see whether his striking accuracy continues to be a decisive factor in his success. Demetrious Johnson’s comments emphasized that Aspinall’s precision and tactical approach could determine the outcome of high-level matchups, underscoring the critical role of skill and execution.

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