Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

TJ Dillashaw says Umar Nurmagomedov should follow Khamzat Chimaev’s training model for Merab rematch

Originally posted on HITC | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 3:33 PM ET

After UFC 321, Umar Nurmagomedov has made it clear he wants another shot at Merab Dvalishvili.

Umar Nurmagomedov returned to the win column at UFC 321, nine months after suffering the first loss of his professional career. The younger cousin of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was determined to bounce back, and he did so with a unanimous decision victory over Mario Bautista.

Despite the win, not everyone is convinced that Umar has what it takes to defeat Dvalishvili in a rematch. But one of the bantamweight division’s all-time greats believes there are clear adjustments he can make to improve his chances.

Khamzat Chimaev’s trainer could be key for Umar Nurmagomedov

The intensity of the training in the Nurmagomedov camp is well documented, but even that wasn’t enough to match Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and stamina during their five-round title bout at UFC 311.

That edge has long set the Georgian apart from other bantamweights, and former champion TJ Dillashaw had a specific suggestion for how Umar might close that gap. Speaking on a recent episode of the Jaxxon Podcast, Dillashaw said:

“His (Bautista’s) cardio was better than Umar’s, I believe,” Dillashaw noted. “I think we need to get Umar with Sam Calavitta at the Training Lab to get him on that conditioning so he can get Merab.”

He continued: “He (Umar) works his a— off…his pace is really, really high. Most of the time, he can put people out with his pace because he’s technically good and his pace is great. But when they don’t go out, and you’ve got that high a pace, it’s gonna catch up to you.”

“Someone like this, we need to scientifically treat him like Sam Calavitta would to get him to the next level so he can challenge Merab to the fullest.”

Umar Nurmagomedov disrupts Dvalishvili’s plans for Mario Bautista bout

While preparing for another rematch, this time against Petr Yan at UFC 323 in December, Dvalishvili made it clear he was looking forward to facing Bautista as a fresh opponent in the new year.

“I’m cheering for Bautista and then, hopefully, Bautista beat Umar, and then hopefully Bautista will be my next opponent,” Dvalishvili said on UFC Unfiltered. “That will be new blood for our division and then I would like to fight Bautista,” he added.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: