‘The Eagle’ Reveals Potential Next Opponent for Umar Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Umar Nurmagomedov will fight either Sean O’Malley or run it back with Merab Dvalishvili next.
This past weekend, at UFC 324, Umar secured a unanimous decision win over Deiveson Figueiredo. After the fight, he confessed that he’s not expecting a title shot next and therefore wants to stay active.
Many in the MMA community agree that Umar Nurmagomedov needs to secure highlight-reel finishes to earn another title shot. However, he was unable to put away an out-of-prime Figueiredo.
At UFC 324, Sean O’Malley also returned to winning ways after a closely contested three-rounder against Song Yadong. Now, O’Malley wants to run it back with current and two-time bantamweight champion Petr Yan, but has admitted that ‘The Machine’ deserves the chance first to complete the Yan trilogy, and hence he will wait.
‘Suga’ has shown no interest in fighting Umar. However, the former champion has teased a bout with Cory Sandhagen, only if the promotion pays him the same amount they would pay if he were fighting for the title.
On the other hand, Merab Dvalishvili is expected to meet Petr Yan in a title rematch later this year. ‘No Mercy’ had lower back surgery earlier this week and will be sidelined for a few months.
Umar Nurmagomedov’s next Opponent will be Merab Dvalishvili or Sean O’Malley
Khabib Nurmagomedov recently gave his two cents on who he thinks Umar Nurmagomedov will fight next. ‘The Eagle’ believes if Merab Dvalishvili fights Petr Yan, as promised, then Umar will fight Sean O’Malley, and if Yan and O’Malley run it back, then Umar will fight Dvalishvili next. He told MMA Arena:
If Yan is going to fight against Merab, Umar is going to fight Sean O’Malley. If Yan is going to fight O’Malley, Umar is going to fight Merab.”
Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments below:
Merab Dvalishvili, however, has no interest in running it back with Umar after convincingly beating the latter last year at UFC 311. O’Malley is also not interested. Hence, Khabib’s prediction will most likely be hindered in the coming months.
