Having gone undefeated in 17 mixed martial arts appearances, including the last five fights in the UFC, Umar Nurmagomedov exudes confidence as he prepares for his next challenge.
The Dagestani will take on No 2-ranked Cory Sandhagen on the main card of UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on August 3.
The stakes are high for both with the winner of this contest likely to earn a shot at the UFC bantamweight title.
“I have been waiting for this moment my whole life and I’m ready to take on anyone in any challenge. I want to win this fight and win the belt,” Nurmagomedov told The National in a Zoom interview.
“A win here will take me closer as the No 1 contender for the bantamweight title.”
To achieve that, Nurmagomedov must defeat an opponent who has seven knockouts in his 17 victories in MMA and rides a three-fight win streak.
“I think in my division there are a lot of tough guys and he [Sandhagen] is one of them,” Nurmagomedov said of his American opponent.
“For me, I think it’s going to be the same as how I fight always. I will try to take him down, choke him, but I don't care. Even if I can strike him, doesn't matter. I will take him on as I have always done – as another opponent.”
Nurmagomedov, 28, has two knockouts and seven submissions in his 17-fight undefeated record. He says training has gone well, though he admits to holding a little back as to be at optimal level come August 3.
“I haven’t pushed myself a lot because when you're training, like on maximum, sometimes you can break. There is enough time and I’ll reach peak when I get into the octagon,” he said.
“I’m always training and it doesn't matter whether I face Cory or someone else, but I’m training all year. You never know, injuries may happen and I may have to take on a different opponent. So, I’m always prepared to take on anyone.”
Nurmagomedov trains at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School (named after his more illustrious cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov’s late father) in Makhachkala and is now in Dubai to continue his preparation.
“Sheikh Hamdan [bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai] has provided all the training facilities in Dubai for me to continue with my preparation. I’m really thankful for the support Dubai has provided,” he said.
Nurmagomedov knows what it is like to have his hand raised in victory in Abu Dhabi having secured a TKO win over Sergey Morozov in January 2021.
He will be cornered by cousin Khabib and can expect a huge fan following inside the Etihad Arena when he takes on Sandhagen.
“It means I'm fighting with my people,” he said. “It's an honour for me to fight there and everyone will be there. My father, my uncles, brothers, friends and of course the support from the local fans. It surely would motivate me to put up a show.
“Khabib will be there too. He will be cornering. I think everything, what I have and where I am now, it's because of what he did. He became UFC champion and he showed us what we can do. We just follow him.”
Khabib has played a massive role in Umar's ascent in the UFC, along with his cousins Usman and Abubakar.
“I grappled a lot with Khabib, and before when he was preparing for his fights I was sparring with him too,” Nurmagomedov added.
“I now spar and grapple with him as part of my preparation. He continues to teach and guide me as we prepare for Cory. My cousins also join me and they are a big support for me.”
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
- 1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
- 2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
- 3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
- 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16
Squads:
- UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
KLOPP%20AT%20LIVERPOOL
%3Cp%3EYears%3A%20October%202015%20-%20June%202024%3Cbr%3ETotal%20games%3A%20491%3Cbr%3EWin%20percentage%3A%2060.9%25%3Cbr%3EMajor%20trophies%3A%206%20(Premier%20League%20x%201%2C%20Champions%20League%20x%201%2C%20FA%20Cup%20x%201%2C%20League%20Cup%20x%202%2C%20Fifa%20Club%20World%20Cup%20x1)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adil%20El%20Arbi%20and%20Bilall%20Fallah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWill%20Smith%2C%20Martin%20Lawrence%2C%20Joe%20Pantoliano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
New schools in Dubai
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
