Difficulties persist in Umar Nurmagomedov's choice of an opponent
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Without a doubt, the UFC's lightweight hopeful, Umar Nurmagomedov (currently ranked No.14 with a record of 16-0), is leaving opponents quaking in their boots. The reason? They're not eager to step into the cage with him, risking their rankings and hard-earned achievements.
Umar's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, sheds light on the situation, "Everyone's terrified of Umar. The UFC is pulling out all the stops to arrange fights for him, but still nobody's game. It's a fact. Setting up a fight for Umar is even more of a headache than it was for Khabib back in the day. I've never seen anything like this before."
The 28-year-old Nurmagomedov has been making waves in the UFC since January 2021, boasting an impressive 4-0 record. In his latest bout on January 14, 2023, he knocked out Brazilian Raoni Barcelos (17-5) in the first round. Initially slated for a title eliminator against the No.4 ranked Cory "Sandman" Sandhagen (17-4) in August 2023 at UFC on ESPN 50, the highly anticipated bout fell through due to Umar's shoulder injury, necessitating surgery. Recently, Umar put out a challenge to former lightweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (Brazil, 22-3-1), who's moved up to 135 pounds (currently ranked No.8), aiming to face off against the Brazilian on February 17 in Anaheim at UFC 298.
What makes Umar so daunting, you ask? To start, he's part of Team Khabib and hails from the illustrious Nurmagomedov family, a formidable lineage that instills a sense of intimidation. Then there's the fact that his grappling and wrestling skills are top-notch, leaving many potential opponents questioning their ability to counter his strengths.
Adding to the challenge is the uncertainty following Umar's first loss to Merab Dvalishvili, which some fighters might view as an opportunity to capitalize on what they perceive as a vulnerability, while others remain cautious due to the unpredictability of facing a fighter trying to bounce back from a defeat.
Lastly, the risk of squaring off against a high-ranked fighter like Umar, compared to the potential reward of a victory, can be a deterrent for some fighters. They'd rather steer clear of the high-pressure situation unless they're extremely confident in their abilities. No easy pickings with Umar Nurmagomedov around!
- In agreement with his manager, Umar Nurmagomedov, currently ranked No.14 in the UFC's lightweight division, may find it challenging to find opponents for his fights due to the fear of facing him and the risk of losing their rankings.
- The sports world, including mixed-martial-arts (MMA), is currently abuzz with the daunting presence and impressive record of Umar Nurmagomedov, as he boasts an unbeaten record of 16-0.
- With the UFC planning numerous fights for Umar Nurmagomedov in 2023 and beyond, Deiveson Figueiredo, a former lightweight champion who has moved up to 135 pounds, has accepted the challenge to face him on February 17 at UFC 298 in Anaheim.
- Umar Nurmagomedov's formidable lineage, top-notch grappling and wrestling skills, and the unpredictability following his first loss, make him a dangerous opponent for many in the UFC lightweight division, thus deterring some fighters from competing against him.
