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Umar Nurmagomedov plans on turning into UFC champion sooner or later, however for now he’s simply anxious to get again into the cage and resume his climb up the ranks.
The undefeated bantamweight and cousin to UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought in additional than a yr on account of an harm that saved him out of his most up-to-date scheduled look in opposition to Cory Sandhagen this previous August. As he ready to return, Nurmagomedov hoped to compete earlier than the tip of 2023 however in the end needed to wait till the upcoming UFC Vegas 87 card on Saturday to discover a keen opponent.
Regardless of his place within the division, Nurmagomedov received’t face a ranked fighter and even an skilled UFC veteran. As a substitute, he attracts newcomer Bekzat Almakhan as a result of that’s all he might get.
“They make me suppose I’m the champion on this [division],” Nurmagomedov mentioned throughout UFC Vegas 87 media day when requested in regards to the bantamweights who refuse to face him. “They actually make me suppose [that], after which I’m going to the health club and Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or another person smashes me they usually carry me again to Earth.
“I hope they’ll take this combat, they’ll [accept] it, somebody within the high 5 possibly after this combat.”
Nurmagomedov admits it will get a little bit irritating when his undefeated file one way or the other will get dismissed whereas he’s looking for out higher competitors. He’s excellent at 16-0 total in MMA, together with 4 straight wins within the UFC with three finishes alongside the best way.
Regardless of that résumé, Nurmagomedov hears fighters complain that he hasn’t achieved sufficient to deserve higher-ranked opponents but. The 28-year-old Dagestani native then can’t assist however marvel what precisely he’s speculated to do to get these alternatives?
“They’re simply speaking about, ‘He doesn’t deserve it, he didn’t beat no person.’ How didn’t I beat no person?” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “4-0. It’s not dangerous. What number of fighters start like this? I don’t need to be cocky. I’m not going to say I’m high excessive degree or nothing or one thing like that.
“If any person involves the UFC and he’s displaying an excellent efficiency and he smashed all his opponents, it means this man has to combat with any person sturdy. You possibly can’t simply say he didn’t deserve, he has to beat any person. OK, how am I going to beat any person? Merab [Dvalishvili] talks about this. How am I going to beat any person in the event that they don’t [accept] it?”
Reasonably than complain, Nurmagomedov prefers to simply hold shifting ahead. Almakhan now stands as the largest impediment in his option to staying undefeated. Nurmagomedov is an awesome favourite to win on Saturday, however the odds don’t matter as soon as the cage door closes.
“I didn’t suppose this combat goes to be very straightforward combat for me and I didn’t prepare,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “No, I educated very onerous. I’m coaching like I’ll prepare for the title. For my opponent, it’s an enormous alternative, and I feel he’s doing a really nice job too. We’ll see this Saturday.”
Each combat within the UFC serves as an opportunity to make an announcement, however Nurmagomedov doesn’t really feel any undue stress to ship some form of highlight-reel end simply to get consideration.
In reality, he guarantees that he’s by no means going to bat an eye fixed at feedback made about his efficiency — optimistic or damaging — as a result of that’s by no means actually mattered to him.
“I don’t care about what they’re going to suppose,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “I actually don’t care. They’ve their life, I’ve my life, and I’m doing nothing so any person can be good with me and they’re going to say, ‘This man is excellent.’ I don’t care. I’ve a household I’ve to maintain. I’ve my approach and I’ll be doing what I need.”
If he does get a powerful win, Nurmagomedov will nearly assuredly draw an even bigger combat and higher identify for his subsequent opponent. Sandhagen already acknowledged that he’ll be watching, and if Nurmagomedov shines in victory, he would take into account revisiting that matchup once more.
Whether or not it’s Sandhagen or any person else, Nurmagomedov’s finish purpose stays the UFC bantamweight title. That belt subsequent goes up for grabs at UFC 299 when reigning champion Sean O’Malley clashes with Marlon “Chito” Vera in the primary occasion.
Nurmagomedov is aware of he’s not getting the subsequent shot on the title, however he expects a well-known face can be holding onto that belt — at the very least for a short while longer.
“I feel Sean O’Malley goes to smash this man,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “Their final combat, Chito received as a result of O’Malley was injured. We don’t know what was going to occur on this combat if he’s not injured. As a result of till he was injured, O’Malley was smashing him.”
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