“I will become champion” – Umar Nurmagomedov Calls Out Champion Merab Dvalishvili After Defeating Mario Bautista at UFC 321
Umar Nurmagomedov entered UFC 321 with the determination to bounce back from his previous loss to Merab Dvalishvili and reestablish dominance. The Dagestani fighter stepped into the octagon as the clear betting favourite against opponent Mario Bautista, showcasing incredible confidence. He reminded everyone why he’s one of the top contenders for the bantamweight title shot with his well-rounded performance. Ultimately, Nurmagomedov secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Bautista, proving his elite status once again.
From the beginning of the fight, Nurmagomedov shot for a takedown and successfully took Bautista to the ground. He continuously dictated the pace with effective takedowns, positional dominance, and short yet impactful strikes that left Bautista struggling to create meaningful offense. By Round 3, Bautista increased aggression with kicks and combinations, but Umar’s superior grappling and tactical discipline secured him a decisive 30-27 unanimous victory.
Following his dominant win, Nurmagomedov expressed deep gratitude toward his fans, coaches, and teammates for their unwavering support and motivation. The fighter then confidently declared his readiness to face the winner of the upcoming Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan title fight. “I will come to take this belt. Doesn’t matter who it’s gonna be, Petr Yan, Merab, doesn’t matter. I will become champion,” said Umar Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Merab Dvalishvili rivalry
Umar Nurmagomedov fought Merab Dvalishvili earlier this year at UFC 311 and lost the bout via unanimous decision. The Dagestani got humiliated in front of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and was extremely disappointed. Since then, the Georgian champion has repeatedly mocked Nurmagomedov and has also discussed a potential title rematch.
SHOP: Kickboxing Pads
The ‘Machine’ vows to destroy Nurmagomedov this time, aiming to end their bitter rivalry decisively and permanently come what may. However, before settling scores, he must first defend his bantamweight belt against Petr Yan in UFC 323’s main event soon. Fans will eagerly watch the evolving equation between Dvalishvili, Yan, and Nurmagomedov as the stakes rise dramatically next year in anticipation.
READ MORE: The Downfall of Israel Adesanya: Former Champion Drops Out of the UFC Middleweight Top 5
Recent posts
