In just a few short weeks, surging bantamweight MMA contender Umar Nurmagomedov will contend for the undisputed championship against reigning 135-lb king Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311. For the past several months, this matchup has been slowly building with anticipation, mainly due to the bad blood that has been boiling between them.
Their first pre-fight press conference in particular went viral after the Georgian suddenly went off on his soon-to-be challenger. Nurmagomedov will compete in the co-main event, just before his countryman, Islam Makhachev, steps up to defend his lightweight strap for a fourth time opposite Arman Tsarukyan.
Is Penultimate Fight of UFC 311 In Trouble?
However, while the bout between these feuding European grappling sensations could prove to be the right spark to set off 2025 for the sport, it appears to be seemingly in jeopardy. Speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the Dagestani star has apparently suffered a serious injury to his arm ahead of UFC 311’s co-main event.
“After I was in Dagestan, I punched my arm. I go to the shoulder doctor, and I show them, and they did x-ray, and they say you broke (it),” Umar Nurmagomedov began. “After that, after 20 days, I go again. Even when I was broken, I was running, I want to still (stay) in shape. Even the time I try to do shadow boxing, try to be in shape, and after twenty days I go again, and it has become much better. Even my punches, other things, I can do wrestling classes. Everything I can do.”
Not wanting to miss this important opportunity, Nurmagomedov got in touch with his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, to make sure the fight at UFC 311 was still on, despite the injuries that he might still possess. He also wants to fight before the Islamic holiday Ramadan, as well as to prove a point to his upcoming adversary, Dvalishvili.
Nurmagomedov Pushes for UFC 311 Co-Main Event To Continue
“I called my manager, Ali, and I said to him, ‘I want to fight,’ but he said I was injured, and I said, ‘I told you take this fight,” Nurmagomedov continued. My manager and brother said, ‘You’re crazy, you cannot fight like that.’ and they said no. They ask again, they called me again, ‘We will fight with Merab.’ Of course, I already ask Ali, ‘Please make the fight any time, I want to fight before Ramadan.’ I want to be active. What said Merab at the press conference? ‘You have to be active.’
Long Road of dominance Leads Nurmagomedov Nearly To Top Of MMA Before UFC 311
For the undefeated Dagestani, his championship appearance in Los Angeles comes as the culmination of almost ten years of hard work. After winning just one amateur bout in 2016 at the Russian MMA Championships, Nurmagomedov jumped straight into the professional ranks seven months later, and has not lost since. Dominating on the European regional circuit, including snagging titles across three different promotions, he made his UFC debut in 2021, defeating Sergey Morozov. Taking his next four contests with ease, Nurmagomedov was thrusted into his first main event showcase opposite former interim championship challenger Cory Sandhagen.
Encountering the toughest opponent of his career, the Russian wrestling specialist found it difficult to take down the towering American. His gas tank was also tested, as the fight went the full five round distance, the first time that Nurmagomedov had ever competed for 25 minutes.
In the end, though, he was ultimately successful in getting his hand raised to become the bantamweight division’s number one contender. Now, on Jan. 18 during the UFC 311 co-main event, he will vie for the most coveted prize in all of combat sports, the undisputed UFC championship.
