Despite ducking claims on champ, Umar Nurmagomedov takes U-turn, says arm injury ruled him out of January fight
UFC title contender Umar Nurmagomedov reveals recent arm injury on the outside looking in to challenge Merab Dvalishvili.
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UFC title contender Umar Nurmagomedov injured, won't challenge Merab Dvalishvili soon (Source: IMAGO)
#2-ranked UFC bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov has demanded a fight with champion Merab Dvalishvili for months. These callouts have gone in vain as the champion continues ignore it. It’s up to a point where Nurmagomedov has blatantly pinned him for ducking. But perhaps “The Machine” was not afraid after all?
Having Ramadan in March and knowing they won’t feature in February’s UFC 312 PPV, ‘Young Eagle’ asked for January. He even lambasted Dvalishvili for cheap excuses and not veering to a January date. Some news that dropped today (November 30th, 2024) suggests Nurmagomedov was trying to keep his name relevant in the game. The undefeated Russian revealed that he had suffered an arm injury.
I had a small arm fracture and couldn’t perform in January. My arm is fine now, and I’m open to any offers.
Umar Nurmagomedov via X (@UNmgdv)
Anyone, Anywhere!!@ufc
Meanwhile, his Russian counterpart to gold Petr Yan pulled a clinical lopsided win at the main event of UFC Macau (aka UFC Fight Night 248). ‘Professor’ Merab Dvalishvili took a class in session in lessons of top contention for gold and chose Yan as worthy. This gave Umar even more ammo to bill him as a ‘duck.’
I had a small arm fracture and couldn’t perform in January. My arm is fine now, and I’m open to any offers.
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) November 30, 2024
Anyone, Anywhere!! @ufc pic.twitter.com/X831CbPV9z
Now, it also explains why he did not grapple former Bellator Bantamweight champ Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas at ADXC 6. With January out of the running and then Ramadan starting, he’ll be out of the loop. It’s not clear when Umar Nurmagomedov could return for a five-round war. However, Georgian mean ‘Machine’ has other things to look to for now, like good friend Aljamain Sterling.
Merab Dvalishvili: Aljamain Sterling ‘smashes’ UFC champion in training ahead of UFC 310
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to continue featherweight winning ways this coming weekend. Aljo partakes in his sophomore 145-pound outing and challenges Movsar Evloev at UFC 310. “Funk Master” is polishing up on his funk with the very best to do it right now — Merab Dvalishvili.
The Serra-Longo Fight Team sparring mate and longtime friend Dvalishvili dethroned Sean O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at this year’s Noche UFC PPV. After which, he has been engaging in the great barrier reef of media banters as to who gets to challenge for gold.
Other than answering or engaging Umar Nurmagomedov, the only thing Merab is focusing on is Aljo returning. Now, Merab Dvalishvili gives good tidings and says he even “smashes” him in training! Which is a big thing against a multiple-time combat sambo champion.
?Grappling sparring session between Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling.
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 28, 2024
Merab admitted that Sterling ‘smashes’ him in grappling and said he’ll do the same to Movsar Evloev?
? YT @funkmasterMMA ▫️ pic.twitter.com/t6yVndYE2R
This may seem like a tough test for any rising contender at 145lbs. But Sterling is a top-class grappler in his own right. The “Funk Master” is regardably one of the most skilled submission specialists in the lower divisions. He has also never been submitted in his 28-fight career.
Per the champ, Sterling is ready to put on a class clinic next. Sterling fights on the late undercard (December 8th / 9:00 am GMT+8) of UFC 310, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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