LAS VEGAS – Umar Nurmagomedov has clarified a comment made by his cousin Khabib pertaining to his feelings toward UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
Khabib recently told Russian channel Kanal Udar that there is tension between Umar and Yan and that two fighters don’t like each other. At a UFC 324 news conference Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s event at T-Mobile Arena, Umar confirmed what Khabib said – but indicated the feelings he has toward Yan are not different than the ones he has toward any other potential opponent.
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“It means we’re not friends,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “We’re not enemies, but we’re not friends. It’s going to be big fight for our country, two guys fighting for the title. Just that’s it. … I look at that spot where I am, looking at guys like my opponents in the cage. It’s the most important things. I don’t have problems with them outside the cage. One of the reasons why we don’t like each other is because if we fight we’re going to smash each other. If someone would retire, we won’t have issues to be in conflict. I think that position (is the one) taken by all fighters. Nobody will fight with friends.”
Despite his eagerness to take a crack at the current UFC titleholder, Nurmagomedov doesn’t appear in a rush. Even should he get through former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo on Saturday, Nurmagomedov said he has a hunch he’ll have to fight one more time before a title shot is awarded to him.
“I don’t feel (Sean O’Malley) is even going to be next,” Nurmagomedov said. “Maybe after this fight, we’re going to fight for the title. Merab and Petr will maybe fight in a rematch. But for me, it doesn’t matter. Any option, I will be ready.”
Should he beat Figueiredo, Nurmagomedov has already penciled in the event and location on his calendar in which he could punch his ticket to a UFC title fight.
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“It’s going to be good, (if I fight in October in Abu Dhabi),” Nurmagomedov said. “I can fight main event five rounds. If it’s going to Sean O’Malley, for example, it’s going to be a big fight.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Umar Nurmagomedov clarifies Khabib’s comments about Petr Yan
