Imagine a fighter so dominant, so technically gifted, that even a former UFC champion can't help but sing their praises. That's exactly what's happening with Umar Nurmagomedov, who's been making waves in the bantamweight division. But here's where it gets controversial: could he be the best bantamweight in the UFC today? Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley certainly thinks so—or at least, he’s not far off. In a recent YouTube discussion about UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, O’Malley didn’t hold back his admiration for Nurmagomedov’s skillset. After watching Nurmagomedov outclass Mario Bautista in a unanimous decision victory, O’Malley praised his well-rounded abilities, calling him an exceptional striker and grappler with an unbeatable team backing him up.
O’Malley’s exact words? ‘Umar is so freaking good. He’s so skilled, such a good striker, so good at grappling, and he’s got such a good team behind him… Skill for skill, I feel like he’s one of the best guys in the division, if not the best.’ Bold statement, right? But it’s hard to argue when you look at Nurmagomedov’s record and performance. With a 19-1 record, he’s rebounded impressively from his only career loss to Merab Dvalishvili, who also happens to be the fighter that dethroned O’Malley earlier this year.
And this is the part most people miss: O’Malley and Nurmagomedov have never faced each other in the Octagon. O’Malley, currently 18-3, turned down the idea of fighting Nurmagomedov while pushing for a title shot. Instead, he went on to defeat Aljamain Sterling, defend his title against Marlon Vera, and later lose to Dvalishvili. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has been climbing the ranks, even challenging Dvalishvili for the title before his win over Bautista. So, here’s the question: If these two ever meet, who takes it? Is Nurmagomedov truly the best, or is O’Malley’s praise a bit over the top? Let’s spark some debate—what do you think?
