Khabib Nurmagomedov inspired his cousin and No. 2 bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov to remain the course amid his latest title shot turmoil.
With a win over Cory Sandhagen over the summer season, the up-and-coming Nurmagomedov was virtually assured a shot on the bantamweight belt. Nevertheless, these plans might have modified after Merab Dvalishvili scored a decisive victory over Sean O’Malley to say the division’s high prize at UFC 306 in Las Vegas.
Since bringing the gold again house to Georgia, ‘The Machine’ has insisted that his subsequent combat be a rematch with O’Malley as a substitute of squaring off with the subsequent man in line.
“I’m not afraid of nobody, solely God,” Dvalishvili advised followers throughout a Q&A final week. “The place is that this man [Nurmagomedov] The place? He’s taking fights, he’s scared, he’s combating someone else, the place is he? The place is he? Inform me. He desires to get knocked out from someone after which he’s gonna make excuse… He’s not going to make this combat. I’m not making combat.
“Dana White and Hunter [Campbell] making choice to who I’m going to combat subsequent. I don’t make choice. I by no means make choice. If Dana White inform me I’ve to combat Umar, I’ll combat Umar. However what, Umar doesn’t need to combat me. Sean O’Malley need to combat me and I’m going to rematch him.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov sends a phrase of encouragement
Khabib Nurmagomdeov discovered himself in an analogous state of affairs when he was handed up for a light-weight title alternative in favor of Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in November 2016. ‘The Eagle’ must wait two extra years earlier than getting his shot.
Even Islam Makhachev needed to string collectively 10-straight wins within the division earlier than difficult Charles Oliveira for the 155-pound crown at UFC 280.
Talking from expertise, the Corridor of Famer inspired his cousin to maintain calm and maintain transferring ahead as a result of at some point, everybody can be lining as much as combat him.
“Islam [Makhachev] and I’ve already been in his place,” Khabib defined. “That is known as a transition interval. Over time, everybody will need to combat you. Simply maintain pushing ahead” (h/t Bloody Elbow).
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from blended martial arts in 2020 following a third-straight protection of the light-weight world title. He closed out his profession with an ideal 29-0 file and noteworthy wins in opposition to Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
