Umar Nurmagomedov secured a significant victory on Saturday night at UFC 324, reinforcing his position in the intense competition for the bantamweight title.
In a showcase match, Nurmagomedov showcased his skills against former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, making an impactful entrance for UFC鈥檚 debut on Paramount+.
Currently, Nurmagomedov is in a close race with Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title. His decisive win over Figueiredo raises questions about whether it will enhance his chances for a title shot.
The fighter controlled the bout effectively, dominating the scorecards, though some expected a more definitive victory given his status as the -1600 betting favorite, according to DraftKings. While he outperformed Figueiredo significantly, securing numerous strikes and takedowns, Nurmagomedov failed to put Figueiredo in real peril.
Figueiredo, known for his experience, opted for a defensive strategy, avoiding exchanges with Nurmagomedov. His brief offensive attempts in the second round fell flat, only lasting about 25 seconds.
Ultimately, this fight, while clearly in Nurmagomedov’s favor, did not provide the striking spectacle many anticipated, especially on such a pivotal night for the UFC on Paramount+. Curiously, he was not interviewed post-fight, which struck a chord with spectators.
“Clean on the cards 馃Ъ @UNmgdv gets the decision victory to close out the prelims!” - UFC January 25, 2026
Nurmagomedov’s record now stands at an impressive 20-1. As a cousin and student of MMA great Khabib Nurmagomedov, his only defeat came in a challenging title match against Dvalishvili. Figueiredo, engaging in the bantamweight division, has fluctuated in success, currently at 4-3 and missing weight for this latest bout by 2.5 pounds.
