No. 12 UFC lightweight Umar Nurmagomedov, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, has no doubts that he can pull off a dominant victory over current division champion Sean O’Malley.
“I think I can compete with him in the stand-up, fight the way I want to fight,” said the Russian at a meeting with fans and press in Abu Dhabi. “I’m sure I’ll be able to finish him: I’ll move him down and then I’ll choke him out or hold him in a painful choke. I will tear him apart.”
Nurmagomedov also answered the question of who poses a bigger challenge for him – O’Malley, or former division champion Aljamain Sterling.
“I suppose Sterling is more dangerous in wrestling and grappling – if he takes his back, it’s very difficult to get out, and O’Malley is very good in the stand-up. To be honest, I don’t think either of them can give me any trouble.”
According to the Russian fighter, he expects to return to the octagon in the first quarter of next year, and would like to fight a top-ranked opponent.
“Of course, I’d like to fight the division’s number one, but I’m not too worried about it. Let them give me anyone – I’ll take the fight and smash them.”
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/32943-nurmagomedov-obeshchaet-rasterzat-o-melli.html?rand=19907
