Umar
Nurmagomedov (18-0) claims his expected UFC
Tampa clash against Yadong Song
(21-8) is off.
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Nurmagomedov was reportedly close to finalizing a headlining clash
against Song at UFC Tampa in December. However, the Dagestani
recently said that the booking has fallen through as Song is
injured.
Nurmagomedov remains adamant on competing in December or at least
before Ramadan, which begins in February 2025. Nurmagomedov was
initially rallying for a gold bid against Merab
Dvalishvili, who dethroned Sean O’Malley at UFC
306 this past September. However, Dvalishvili has consistently
downplayed Nurmagomedov’s claim to a title shot and prefers a
rematch against “Suga.” The bantamweight champ recently lost his cool during a Q&A session
when a fan asked him if he’s scared to face Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov also responded to Dvalishvili while announcing the
cancelation of his booking against Yadong.
“I am always ready, and right now I am waiting for an opponent, as
Yadong declined to fight in December — I was told he is injured,”
Nurmagomedov wrote on X. “Merab, before my fight with Sandhagen,
you said that if I beat him, I would deserve recognition. Now you
have changed your position — decide who you are. All the fans and
analysts are noticing how you are avoiding the fight. Championship
is recognition, but you haven’t received it, and you know that
perfectly well.
“I am not waiting for anyone and I want to fight before Ramadan. I
hope UFC finds an opponent. And the title, inshaAllah, is just a
matter of time.”
I am always ready, and right now I am
waiting for an opponent, as Yadong declined to fight in December —
I was told he is injured.Merab, before my fight with Sandhagen, you said that if I beat him,
I would deserve recognition. Now you have changed your position —
decide who…— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv)
October 25, 2024
I am not waiting for anyone and
I want to fight before Ramadan.
I hope UFC finds an opponent. And the title, inshaAllah, is just a
matter of time. pic.twitter.com/hasZPpDO2k— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv)
October 25, 2024
An MMA media member then highlighted Nurmagomedov’s own lack of
activity while noting that he’s asking the champ to defend the
strap just three months after winning it.
Umar you are an amazing fighter, but your
quickest return to the Octagon in your UFC career was 112 days,
with no other fights having less than a 5-month gap in between.Now, you’re asking the newly crowned champion to return just 91
days after his last fight.Why would he…
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA)
October 25, 2024
Nurmagomedov defended himself, blaming the inactivity mostly on
factors beyond his control.
“Thank you very much. This has always been related to the fact that
the UFC couldn’t find an opponent. I have always wanted to fight at
least every three months.”
Thank you very much. This has always been
related to the fact that the UFC couldn’t find an opponent. I have
always wanted to fight at least every three months.— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv)
October 25, 2024
Nurmagomedov subsequently agreed to postpone the Song matchup to
UFC 311 on Jan. 18 during an Instagram exchange with “The Kung Fu
Kid.”
🚨👀 Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong could
happen on the first PPV of the year at UFC 311 after the fight
falling through due to an injury from Yadong. (📸 @SongYadongLFG)
pic.twitter.com/mOM9FKCEJH— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
October 25, 2024
Nurmagomedov has finished three of his six UFC wins, sealing his
presumed No. 1 contender status with a unanimous decision over
Cory
Sandhagen at
UFC Abu Dhabi this past August. Meanwhile, “The Machine”
extended his winning streak to 11 with his title win over O’Malley.