Ali Abdelaziz claims Umar Nurmagomedov wants to abandon wrestling
The UFC bantamweight contender's manager says Umar Nurmagomedov wants to focus on striking after his knockout loss to Song Yadong.
Ali Abdelaziz claims Umar Nurmagomedov is planning a major change to his fighting style. The UFC bantamweight contender's manager revealed that Umar told him he no longer wants to rely on wrestling and intends to focus on knocking out his opponents following his loss to Song Yadong at UFC Shanghai.
Nurmagomedov suffered the first knockout loss of his career when Song stopped him with a second-round uppercut in the main event on Aug. 29. According to Abdelaziz, however, the former title challenger is already looking ahead to his return and believes 2027 could be the biggest year of his career.
Umar Nurmagomedov Wants to Focus on Striking
Nurmagomedov has built his career around his wrestling and grappling, winning seven of his 20 professional fights by submission. However, Abdelaziz claims the Russian now wants to take a different approach after his first career knockout loss.
Speaking to Submission Radio, the manager revealed that Umar recently called him and explained that he no longer sees himself as a wrestler. Abdelaziz also claimed that the bantamweight contender wants to focus on finishing his opponents with strikes.
"2027 will be the biggest year of Umar Nurmagomedov's career," Abdelaziz said. "He called me the other day and he was like 'I'm not a wrestler; I'm not going to wrestle again. I'm going to knock everybody out and I'm going to make sure I make it look easy."
Nurmagomedov has recorded just two knockout victories during his professional career, with his most recent KO win coming against Raoni Barcelos in 2023.
Ali Abdelaziz expects Umar Nurmagomedov to return with a vengeance
Despite Umar's setback at UFC Shanghai, Abdelaziz remains confident that his client can bounce back. The manager praised Nurmagomedov's character and expressed his belief that the former title challenger will return with a different mindset in 2027.
"From the bottom of his heart – and I felt his vibration when he said that to me," Abdelaziz said. "I don't love anyone more than I love Umar. He's one of the kindest, nicest human beings on the planet. And also, one of the baddest dudes on the planet, and I truly believe that Umar will come back with vengeance."
Nurmagomedov will now look to rebound from his loss to Song after previously defeating Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo in consecutive fights. The 30-year-old remains ranked among the UFC's top bantamweights, but the promotion has yet to announce his next fight.
