Abubakar Nurmagomedov breaks down just what ‘Cain Velasquez striking’ is from UFC 280 win
ABU DHABI – Abubakar Nurmagomedov beat Gadzhi Omargadzhiev with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Take a look inside the fight with Nurmagomedov, who picked up his second straight UFC win after a loss in his promotional debut in 2019.
Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev
Result: Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Updated records: Nurmagomedov (17-3-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Omargadzhiev (13-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stat: Nurmagomedov’s five most recent wins have been by unanimous decision.
Nurmagomedov on the fight's key moment
Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Abubakar Nurmagomedov (red gloves) and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports
“I felt his power in the striking, and maybe I won because I have more experience than him. Now I have to work inside the cage. We worked for this match – homework. I worked on grappling and wrestling.”
Nurmagomedov on 'Cain Velasquez' striking
Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Abubakar Nurmagomedov (red gloves) and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports
“(Velasquez) moved all the time – outside, jab, boxing. … Because my opponent was from my country, he understood my language. He doesn’t speak language. Sow e had some (code) words. ‘Cain Velasquez’ meant ‘move like Cain Velasquez’ or something like that.”
Nurmagomedov on what he wants next
Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Abubakar Nurmagomedov (red gloves) before his fight against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports
“I can’t say right now. I have my team, I have my manager. We’ll get together and make plans for the future. I don’t like some people who do callouts. I don’t like it. If the UFC gives me (an opponent), of course – let’s go to the fight. I never call out like this. Maybe we’ll fight after four months in the spring.”
To hear more from Nurmagomedov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
UFC 280 galleries
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