Umar Nurmagomedov set to face two-time Bellator champion in surprise headliner as he awaits UFC title shot
10/01/2024 06:51 AM
Despite undefeated star Umar Nurmagomedov being expected to be next in line for the UFC bantamweight title, the 18-0 Russian is looking to remain as active in competition as possible.
But not necessarily in MMA; with the 28-year-old now set to headline an upcoming grappling event in Abu Dhabi against two-time Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas.
Umar Nurmagomedov to face Bellator champion in surprise headliner
Yesterday, it was announced that 18-0 UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov will be one-half of the headlining attraction for the upcoming ADXC 6 grappling event in Abu Dhabi.
That event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 25 – just one day before the UFC rolls into town for the outstanding UFC 308 PPV headlined by Max Holloway vs Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title.
Whilst the grappling showcase won't be shown on traditional networks, fans in the US will reportedly be able to purchase the event via 'Internet PPV' closer to the event; the last PPV cost $9.99 via the tx7 platform.
The young Nurmagomedov is currently 6-0 in the UFC, with seven career wins coming via submission: including his first two victories in the promotion against Brian Kelleher and Sergey Morozov.
His opponent on October 25 is none other than former two-time Bellator bantamweight champion, Eduardo 'Dudu' Dantas.
The 35-year-old holds a professional record of 23-8 and will certainly put up a stern challenge to the undefeated Nurmagomedov, with seven submission wins of his own, including an arm-triangle victory to claim the Bellator title back in 2012.
Umar Nurmagomedov expected to fight Merab Dvalishvili for UFC title
As new bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili claimed the shiny gold belt from Sean O'Malley last month, the UFC cameras were quick to track Umar Nurmagomedov in the stands; with the expectation being that he'll be next in line for the title shot.
In fact, according to manager Ali Abdelaziz, that title fight is reportedly already being finalized behind the closed doors of the UFC: "Umar fighting for the UFC bantamweight championship next done deal," he wrote on X.
Dvalishvili himself has been pushing for his next title fight to come against former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo and not the undefeated Nurmagomedov; with Sean O'Malley even coming to the 18-0's defense.
"Fought you with one hip and still beat you," O'Malley responded to a post suggesting that they could rematch later this year: "Rounds 1, 3, 5. I'm the champ. Fight Umar."
Nurmagomedov vs Dantas goes down live from the dunes of Abu Dhabi on Friday, October 26 – tickets for the event are still available via the Virgin Megastore.
