In a recent conversation that raised eyebrows in the mixed martial arts community, rising UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov shared his thoughts on the most effective foundation for success in the sport.
Responding to a question about the best base for MMA, Nurmagomedov emphasized that individual attributes play a crucial role. He then pointed to the recent performance of Merab Dvalishvili, a Georgian wrestler known for his combat sambo background, as a prime example.
Nurmagomedov highlighted Dvalishvili’s success against a decorated opponent, noting, “Merab is a combat sambo artist, and he has taken down an Olympic champion many times.” This statement was particularly notable given the presence of Henry Cejudo, a former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, during the conversation.
The comment sparked intrigue among MMA enthusiasts, as it subtly referenced Dvalishvili’s dominant victory over Cejudo at UFC 298. In that bout, Dvalishvili’s combat sambo skills were on full display as he repeatedly grounded the Olympic wrestler, showcasing the effectiveness of his grappling base.
But it takes a certain kind of man to say this in front of Cejudo, considering how humbling the experience was.
Cejudo, for his part, took it in stride and took the opportunity to promote Nurmagomedov seeing as how all three, Usman, Umar and Cejudo share a manager.
“I think you’re on your way to do some amazing things and I do believe that you will become champion and you will defend it as many times as you decide because I personally feel that you’re just that good”
