Coach Tim Welch doubts Umar Nurmagomedov would battle UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili severely injured.
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) Jan. 18 within the UFC 311 co-headliner at Intuit Dome from Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Nurmagomedov let it slip that he just lately fractured his arm and that each his supervisor and brother, Usman, suggested him in opposition to combating Dvalishvili in January. Nonetheless, Nurmagomedov insisted on competing earlier than Ramadan begins, which Welch believes means he needs to be match sufficient to compete.
“They know they’re going to get the title shot ultimately,” Welch advised Submission Radio. “So I don’t suppose he’s going to be that harm. I feel he’s most likely going to be most likely extra wholesome and extra prepared than individuals suppose. And, yeah, it’s like I stated, for these title photographs, it’s like, for some individuals, you’ll get one title shot your entire profession, the remainder of your life.
“For Umar, along with his final title, I really feel like even when he misplaced this Merab battle, he wins two extra, he’s again within the title image. So I don’t suppose that’s the case. I don’t suppose they’re like, ‘You’re going to get one shot at this title, Umar, and also you’re by no means going to get one once more, so you must take it even in case you’re injured.’ I feel he’s not that injured, and so they’re actually assured with this match.”
Dvalishvili was by no means bought on Nurmagomedov being a worthy title contender, after the 29-year-old wanted only one ranked win over Cory Sandhagen to earn his shot.
Welch’s star fighter, Sean O’Malley, entered his previous title battle with Dvalishvili at UFC 306 with a hip harm. He misplaced his bantamweight title and underwent surgical procedure for a torn labrum in his left hip after the battle.
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