LAS VEGAS – Umar Nurmagomedov being on the UFC 324 prelims surprised many.
Nurmagomedov (19-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1 MMA, 14-5-1 UFC) in Saturday’s featured prelim (Paramount+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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Nurmagomedov on the prelims was unexpected to many – especially after the co-main event between bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes fell through.
“For me, it doesn’t matter,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 324 media day. “I can fight in the street outside. I can start this tournament, it doesn’t matter. I just need cage, time, and I don’t even need a judge there. I don’t care.”
Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong was promoted to the UFC 324 co-headliner, and O’Malley sees potential title implications with a win. Nurmagomedov doesn’t agree.
“No, I don’t feel even he’s going to be next,” Nurmagomedov said of O’Malley. “Maybe after these fights, we’re going to fight for the title, and Merab (Dvalishvili) and Petr (Yan) maybe will fight rematch. But for me, it doesn’t matter. Any option, I will be ready.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 324: Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t care about being on prelims
