Umar Nurmagomedov kept his unblemished record intact Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas, Nev., at UFC Vegas 87, defeating Bekzat Almakhan in a lopsided unanimous decision.
The bantamweight contender is now clamoring for a step up in competition, including a potential rescheduled date with Cory Sandhagen, who is also seeking an undisputed world title.
At the post-fight press conference, Nurmagomedov expressed frustration with a lack of challengers willing to test themselves against him, naming Sandhagen as a valuable option.
“I talk because I know what job they did," Nurmagomedov told reporters. "I know other guys what they are doing. The way I’m talking, I can smash and I can finish Petr Yan. I’m serious. When I talk about Cory Sandhagen, that I can finish him, I’m serious – not because I’m cocky or something like that. No, guys, I have very good team. Look at my team. We have three or four guys who are lightweight champions. Who else’s team has that? Nobody.
Nurmagomedov blamed himself for the postponed fight with Sandhagen, initially scheduled for an August UFC Fight Night main event last year.
"Everybody talks about my pullouts," Nurmagomedov said. "In my life, I pulled out because of me, my health – two times. First time, I was sick. My face was very big, some stuff, and I didn’t sleep all night. I was very sick. I didn’t remember something worse than that time in my life. I didn’t fight, but it was the fight with Sergey Morozov. Later, I fought with him. Second time because of me, my health, I pulled out because of my shoulder. I injured my shoulder and I did surgery. I will fight with Cory Sandhagen again, I hope. It’s two times I pulled out because of me."
Nurmagomedov wants to fight on UFC 303, the UFC's International Fight Week event June 29. Whether it's Sandhagen or another opponent, Nurmagomedov says he wants to prove he belongs amongst the elites at 135 pounds.
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