Umar Nurmagomedov has rejected the idea that his famous family connection has made his MMA career easier, insisting that he should not be blamed for being the cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Speaking exclusively to Red Corner MMA, Nurmagomedov addressed criticism that his connection to Khabib resulted in opportunities being handed to him rather than earned through the same struggles faced by other fighters. He stated:
“Yes, there’s a narrative among people that I got handed everything on a silver platter and I didn’t have to go as hard the other fighters have to. It’s not my fault that I was born as Khabib’s cousin.”
Check out Umar Nurmagomedov’s comments below:
The 30-year-old has nevertheless established his own credentials inside the UFC, winning his first seven fights with the promotion before suffering his first professional defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in a bantamweight title fight at UFC 311. He has since bounced back with consecutive victories over Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Umar Nurmagomedov Targets Another Title Shot
Umar Nurmagomedov will now attempt to continue his resurgence when he faces Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Shanghai on August 29 at the Oriental Sports Center.
The matchup puts Nurmagomedov in hostile territory against one of China’s biggest UFC stars. Song will headline a UFC event in China for the second consecutive time after submitting former champion Deiveson Figueiredo with a second-round guillotine choke at UFC Macau in May.
For Nurmagomedov, the objective is straightforward. Another victory would extend his winning streak to three since the Dvalishvili setback and strengthen his case for another opportunity at the bantamweight championship.
With the fight taking place in Song’s backyard, Nurmagomedov will also have the chance to make a statement by beating a major divisional contender on enemy soil.
His connection to Khabib will inevitably remain part of his story, but Nurmagomedov now has another opportunity in Shanghai to reinforce that his own career is being built through his performances inside the Octagon.
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