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In a thrilling showcase of resilience and determination, Umar Nurmagomedov emerged victorious at UFC Fight Night 238, weathering an early storm to secure a hard-fought decision win over Bekzat Almakhan.
Nurmagomedov (17-0), widely touted as a future bantamweight champion, faced perhaps his toughest challenge yet against the formidable Almakhan (14-2). Despite a rocky start that saw him knocked down in the opening moments of the bout, Nurmagomedov showcased his grappling prowess, dominating Almakhan on the mat for the remainder of the fight.
Reflecting on the harrowing moment, Nurmagomedov admitted,
"I didn’t see this and I didn’t understand – I woke up. I hurt him. Almost too much I hurt him. I thought I would take him down and choke him for an easy fight. But this guy's a monster. He’s tough and he tried to kill me."
Despite coming into the fight with undisclosed injuries, Nurmagomedov's tenacity never wavered as he controlled the pace and direction of the match, ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-25, 30-26, and 30-26.
Looking ahead, Nurmagomedov wasted no time in setting his sights on his next challenge, calling for a re-booking with Cory Sandhagen, a matchup that was derailed by injury in their previous scheduled encounter.
“I want to fight with Cory Sandhagen,” Nurmagomedov asserted. “It’s going to be I think a contender fight. I come to this fight with a lot of things. Hurt. I didn’t come here 100 percent. Maybe I was just 50 percent. I’m serious.”
As fans eagerly anticipate the potential showdown between Nurmagomedov and Sandhagen, one thing remains certain: Nurmagomedov's unwavering determination and skill make him a formidable force in the bantamweight division.