Umar Nurmagomedov Record: 20-1-0

UFC ascent

Umar announced himself in the Octagon in January 2021, submitting Sergey Morozov by rear-naked choke in the second round. He kept the finishes coming in March 2022, choking out veteran Brian Kelleher in the first round at UFC 272, then outworked the unbeaten Nate Maness over three rounds that June. His most spectacular performance came in January 2023, when he knocked out the highly regarded Raoni Barcelos with a body kick and punch in the opening round. He pushed deeper into the rankings with a unanimous-decision win over Bekzat Almakhan in March 2024 and a statement five-round decision over former title challenger Cory Sandhagen in August 2024 that vaulted him into title contention.

Title shot and rebound

That run earned Umar a crack at the championship. At UFC 311 in January 2025 he challenged Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight title, dropping a five-round unanimous decision in the only loss of his career – a relentless, high-volume fight that exposed how punishing the division's elite can be. He responded the way contenders must: in October 2025 he outpointed Mario Bautista over three rounds at UFC 321, then opened 2026 with a unanimous-decision win over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324, reasserting himself near the top of the bantamweight picture.

Fighting style

Umar is a complete fighter built on a world-class Dagestani wrestling base. His finish breakdown leans heavily on the ground game – seven of his 20 wins by submission against just two knockouts – but his overall profile is that of a control-and-volume technician, with 11 of his wins coming by decision and a 45% finish rate that reflects how often he simply outpoints opponents over 15 or 25 minutes. He chains takedowns into suffocating top control and hunts the back with his trademark rear-naked choke, while his striking has grown sharp enough to produce highlight finishes like the Barcelos knockout. His lone career loss, the five-round title fight with Dvalishvili, came against a fighter who matched his pace and grappling – the test he'll be aiming to pass on a second run at the belt.

Career highlights

• 20-1 record — one of the most accomplished win-loss marks in the bantamweight division, with his only defeat coming in a UFC title fight.
• Beat Cory Sandhagen — a five-round decision over Cory Sandhagen in 2024 that earned him a championship opportunity.
• Submission specialist — seven of his wins by submission, most by his signature rear-naked choke off elite wrestling control.