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Umar Nurmagomedov Grounds Out Mario Bautista for Clean Sweep at UFC 321

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Oct 25, 2025 5:15 PM ET

ABU DHABI — Umar Nurmagomedov leaned on signature chain wrestling and top control to shut down Mario Bautista, earning a unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) on the UFC 321 main card at Etihad Arena.

How it happened

Round 1: Bautista opened with a kick; Nurmagomedov caught it and converted immediately, then dumped him again after a brief stand-up. From side control to the back, Umar locked a body triangle and rode out the frame with steady control.
Round 2: Bautista’s best moment he briefly dropped Umar with a knee and followed with a hard body kick. The momentum didn’t last. Nurmagomedov returned to form, securing takedowns, re-taking the back, and smothering from top despite Bautista’s scrambles.
Round 3: Bautista pressed forward, investing in the body, but Umar’s relentless chain wrestling kept dragging him back to the mat. Late pocket trades closed the show, but the positional dominance had already banked the round.

What it means

Umar Nurmagomedov gets back in the win column and Islam Makhachev will fight for the welterweight title in exactly three weeks

Team Khabib is ready to finish the year strong #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/oYwMazHSCe

— ESPN (@espn) October 25, 2025

Nurmagomedov (19–1, 7–1 UFC) rebounds with a complete three-round performance that underscores his place among the bantamweight elite: elite entries, back control, and suffocating ride time. Bautista (16–3, 10–3 UFC) had flashes most notably that knee but couldn’t stay upright long enough to turn the tide. Nurmagomedov gave praise to Bautista in the post fight interview and made it clear that he wants a title shot.

“I underestimated him a little bit,” Nurmagomedov said. “He was tough, had good defense.”

“Believe me, I will be ready 100 times better than today. I will do it and I will come to take this belt. It doesn’t matter who it’s going to be Merab, Petr Yan, who else, it doesn’t matter. Guys, I will become champion.”

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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