Umar Nurmagomedov is well aware that his upcoming bout at UFC Fight Night 238 presents a challenging scenario, but he remains determined not to falter.
In his quest to secure a ranked bantamweight opponent for Saturday’s event at the UFC Apex (streaming on ESPN+), Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) found himself without many options.
He settled for a matchup with promotional newcomer Bekzat Almakhan (14-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who enters the octagon as a significant underdog.
While the odds may favor Nurmagomedov, he refuses to underestimate his opponent and prepares rigorously for the fight.
“I didn’t approach this fight as an easy one, and I didn’t train lightly,” Nurmagomedov stated during media day for UFC Fight Night 238. “I trained intensely, as if I were vying for the title. I haven’t been sleeping much. This is a big opportunity for my opponent, and I respect his efforts. We’ll see what happens this Saturday.”
Previously slated for a main event showdown against Cory Sandhagen in August, Nurmagomedov suffered a severe shoulder injury during training, forcing him to withdraw and miss out on his breakthrough moment.
Unable to secure a similarly high-profile opponent for his return, Nurmagomedov has faced criticism from some quarters. However, he dismisses notions that he’s being fast-tracked due to his familial ties with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“People say I haven’t beaten anyone, but how can that be when I’m 4-0 in the UFC?” Nurmagomedov responded. “Starting out with that record isn’t bad at all. I’m not here to boast or claim superiority. I believe that if someone comes into the UFC, performs well, and defeats all their opponents, they should face tougher challenges. You can’t say I haven’t earned my spot. Merab (Dvalishvili) and I discuss this: How can I prove myself if opponents refuse to fight me?”
Acknowledging that the struggle to secure top-tier opponents has bolstered his ego somewhat, Nurmagomedov is confident that he has channeled that energy effectively and will enter UFC Fight Night 238 with the right mindset.
“When opponents turn down fights, it makes me feel like a champion,” he explained. “But then, I go to the gym, and Khabib or someone else puts me in my place. I hope opponents will accept these challenges, and perhaps I’ll face someone from the top five after this fight.”
