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Umar Nurmagomedov, the highly anticipated bantamweight prospect, is set to make his long-awaited return to the UFC octagon. However, in a twist of fate, Nurmagomedov will be facing off against a UFC newcomer, Bekzat Almakhan, at the upcoming UFC Fight Night event scheduled for March 2 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Despite Nurmagomedov's undefeated record and his reputation as a potential future UFC champion, securing a top-15 opponent proved elusive for his return bout. As a result, the 17-1 pro Bekzat Almakhan stepped up to answer the call, marking his UFC debut with a formidable challenge against one of the promotion's most promising talents.
Nurmagomedov's journey back to the octagon has been riddled with setbacks, including a shoulder injury that forced the cancellation of his previously scheduled bout against Cory Sandhagen. Despite efforts to secure high-profile matchups, Nurmagomedov's manager Ali Abdelaziz highlighted the difficulty in finding suitable opponents, comparing it to the challenges faced by other notable fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, and Islam Makhachev.
With an impressive 4-0 record in the UFC, Nurmagomedov has showcased his dominance with three finishes by knockout or submission. However, facing off against the relatively unknown Almakhan presents a unique challenge for the Dagestani native.
On the other side of the octagon, Bekzat Almakhan, a 26-year-old Kazakhstan native, brings with him a formidable skill set and a nine-fight win streak, with seven finishes to his name. Making his UFC debut against a top prospect like Nurmagomedov is a significant opportunity for Almakhan to make a statement in the bantamweight division.
Nurmagomedov vs. Almakhan adds to the excitement of the growing card on March 2, with heavyweights Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Gaziev set to headline the event in Las Vegas. As fight night approaches, anticipation builds for this clash between an established contender and an emerging newcomer in the UFC ranks.