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Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t feel any added pressure heading into UFC 321. | Getty/UFC
It’s simply business as usual for Umar Nurmagomedov as he attempts to rebound from his first career mixed martial arts defeat.
Nurmagomedov will face Mario Bautista in a featured bantamweight bout at UFC 321 on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It’s the Dagestani’s first Octagon appearance since dropping a unanimous decision to Merab Dvalishvili in a 135-pound title tilt at UFC 311 this past January.
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“Of course I have to come back strong and take this for next opportunity to fight for the title,” Nurmagomedov told TMZ Sports.
Nurmagomedov was favored to defeat Dvalishvili at UFC 311, but he was outworked by the Georgian grappler in a closely-contested defeat. That setback doesn’t really change his approach, Nurmagomedov says.
“I don’t need to prove anything to anybody,” he said. “I don’t feel any pressure from fans. I have to just go and [have a] good fight, nice performance.
“…To me it’s how you lost … It was very close … But everything worked out. We’re gonna forge ahead in the future and we’re gonna try to take this belt.”
Dvalishvili will attempt to make his fourth successful title defense of 2025 when he meets Petr Yan in the UFC 323 headliner on Dec. 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While Nurmagomedov would like to avenge his loss to “The Machine,” it isn’t necessarily the main priority.
“It doesn’t matter who gonna win [at UFC 323],” Nurmagomedov said. “Of course I want to fight with him for a rematch. But I think I can fight with him even if he’s not champion.”
‘They’re Gonna See How Nurmagomedovs Come Back’
Nurmagomedov’s passion for the sport is as strong as ever. By besting Baustista, who is in the midst of an eight-bout promotional winning streak, the 29-year-old can re-establish himself as one of the top talents at 135 pounds.
“I’m here training every day. I want to take this. I love this sport. I love to be here,” he said. “… I think [people should] watch this fight because [we’re] two very high level strikers. They’re gonna see how Nurmagomedovs come back.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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