February 29, 2024 7:40 pm ET
LAS VEGAS– Umar Nurmagomedov believes Sean O’Malley avenges his loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 299.
Bantamweight champ O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) makes his very first title defense in a rematch versus Vera (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC) in the March 9 headliner at Kaseya Center in Miami.
A leg injury triggered O’Malley to lose his very first battle with Vera in August 2020 by TKO, marking his only profession loss. Nurmagomedov believes O’Malley was having his method, till Vera kicked him in his peroneal nerve at the end of Round 1 and completed him on the ground.
“I believe Sean O’Malley is going to smash this guy since their last battle, ‘Chito’ won since O’Malley got hurt,” Nurmagomedov informed MMA Junkie and other press reporters at UFC Fight Night 238 media day. “We do not understand what’s going to occur in this battle if he (didn’t get) hurt, since up until he was hurt, O’Malley was smashing him.”
Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will aim to continue his climb up the bantamweight ladder when he invites Bekzat Almakhan (17-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the octagon in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 238 (ESPN+) primary card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Leading competitor Merab Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was stated as No. 1 competitor after lasting longer than Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, and Nurmagomedov was impressed with his efficiency.
“Very good– piece de resistance,” Nurmagomedov stated. “When Cejudo remained in his prime, I believe (Dvalishvili) can never ever beat Cejudo. We will not understand. We can’t inspect this. He did a great task. He pressed, he got ahead, ahead, ahead, and took a great triumph. I can simply praise him.”
For more on the card, see MMA Junkie’s occasion center for UFC Fight Night 238.
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