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Umar Nurmagomedov relied on his grappling at UFC 321. | Getty/UFC
Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t mind getting some experience if he doesn’t receive the next title shot.
Nurmagomedov suffered his lone professional loss in a failed title bid against Merab Dvalishvili earlier this year. Nurmagomedov rebounded from the loss with an emphatic unanimous decision win over surging contender Mario Bautista at UFC 321 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
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Meanwhile, Dvalishvili is set to defend his title for the fourth time this year against Petr Yan at UFC 323 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas. Considering Dvalishvili’s activity, “The Machine” could look for another quick turnaround before Ramadan, which begins in February 2026. Nurmagomedov would be grateful if Dvalishvili offered him a rematch before Ramadan. However, since Muslim fighters usually don’t fight during or immediately after Ramadan, Nurmagomedov doesn’t mind fighting other opponents if he doesn’t get a title shot before Ramadan. Nurmagomedov believes it is essential to spend as much time in the Octagon as possible to feel at home there.
Nurmagomedov: ‘It’s Experience’
Nurmagomedov named Deiveson Figueiredo and Aiemann Zahabi as potential opponents if he doesn’t get a title shot next.
“Of course, I will be happy [to accept a rematch]. I will be even thankful,” Nurmagomedov said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “We’ll see what happens next. If it’s not gonna happen before Ramadan, if they give me other fight, maybe with Figueiredo or Aiemann Zahabi, anybody else, I’ll be happy to fight. Because I today I become a little better in cage. Because it’s experience. You need to spend lot of time in the cage to feel at home there.”
Figueiredo is 4-2 since moving up to bantamweight in 2023. “Deus da Guerra” is coming off a split decision win over an up-and-coming Montel Jackson that saw him rebound from a two-fight slump. Meanwhile, Zahabi is riding a seven-fight winning streak that saw him leave behind the likes of Jose Aldo, Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera in his wake.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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