Umar Nurmagomedov extended his career record to a perfect 17-0 with a unanimous decision win over Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Fight Night 238 last night, and now he wants to rebook a fight with the No.3 ranked Cory Sandhagen next.
“Next is Cory Sandhagen. He (wants to) fight me on International (Fight Week),” Nurmagomedov told reporters after his win. “If he don’t want to and somebody else, I don’t care. I really don’t care.”
Nurmagomedov and Sandhagen had originally been scheduled to fight in August of last year, but the booking fell through when Nurmagomedov withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
Nurmagomedov has since been criticized for pulling out of fights, and he eager to address that last night.
“Everybody talks about my pullouts,” Nurmagomedov said. “In my life, I pulled out because of me, my health – two times. First time, I was sick. My face was very big, some stuff, and I didn’t sleep all night. I was very sick. I didn’t remember something worse than that time in my life. I didn’t fight, but it was the fight with Sergey Morozov. Later, I fought with him. Second time because of me, my health, I pulled out because of my shoulder. I injured my shoulder and I did surgery. I will fight with Cory Sandhagen again, I hope. It’s two times I pulled out because of me.
“Other when coronavirus came, my uncle passed away, when my opponents pulled out. They’re going to count everything and say, ‘Umar pulled out eight times.’ No, it’s not true. I pulled out two times. One time I fought with this same guy again. I don’t think someone is scared. I think everyone who comes to do this job goes inside and tries to damage each other. Everyone is brave. I just want to fight.”
Nurmagomedov has stated that he believes he can finish Sandhagen, and he’s very confident he can back up his words with action in the Octagon when the time comes.
“I talk because I know what job they did – I know other guys what they are doing. The way I’m talking, I can smash and I can finish Petr Yan. I’m serious. When I talk about Cory Sandhagen, that I can finish him, I’m serious – not because I’m cocky or something like that. No, guys, I have very good team. Look at my team. We have three or four guys who are lightweight champions. Who else’s team has that? Nobody.
