Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0) claimed that his scheduled UFC Tampa fight against Yadong Son (21-8) has been canceled.
Nurmagomedov is reportedly close to finalizing a headline showdown with Song at UFC Tampa in December. However, the Dagestani recently announced that Son was no longer booked due to an injury.
Nurmagomedov remains adamant that he fights in December or at least before Ramadan, which begins in February 2025. Nurmagomedov was initially gunning for the gold medal against Merab Dvalishvili, who dethroned Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September of this year. However, Dvalishvili has consistently downplayed Nurmagomedov’s title shot and wants a rematch with “Suga.” The bantamweight champion recently lost his cool during a Q&A session when a fan asked him if he was scared of facing Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov also responded to Dvalishvili, announcing that he had canceled his reservation for the fight against Yadon.
“I am always ready and am currently waiting for my opponent. Yadon refused to fight in December, but I heard he was injured,” Nurmagomedov wrote in X. Ta. I beat him, I deserve to be recognized. Now you have changed your position – decide who you are. All fans and analysts have noticed how you avoid fights. A championship is to be recognized, but you haven’t received it, and you totally know that.
“I’m not waiting for anyone and I want to fight before Ramadan. I hope the UFC finds an opponent and it’s only a matter of time before the title is ‘Insha’Allah.’ is”
I’m always ready and now I’m waiting for my opponent because Yadon withdrew from the fight in December – I heard he was injured.
Merab, before I fought Sandhagen, you said that if I beat him, I would be recognized. Well, you have changed positions – decide who…
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv)
October 25, 2024
I’m not waiting for anyone,
I want to fight before Ramadan.
I hope the UFC finds an opponent. And it’s only a matter of time before the title “inshaAllah” is decided. pic.twitter.com/hasZPpDO2k
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv)
October 25, 2024
MMA media outlets then highlighted Nurmagomedov’s own lack of activity, pointing out that Nurmagomedov is asking the champion to defend the strap just three months after winning.
Umar, you’re a great fighter, but the quickest return to the Octagon in your UFC career was 112 days, and no other fights were less than five months apart.
Well, you’re asking the newly crowned champion to return just 91 days after his last match.
Why did he…
— AfeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA)
October 25, 2024
Nurmagomedov defended his lack of exercise by saying that the main reason for his lack of exercise was due to factors beyond his control.
“Thank you very much. This always has to do with the fact that the UFC could not find an opponent. I always wanted to have a fight at least every three months.”
thank you very much. This always has to do with the fact that the UFC couldn’t find an opponent. I always wanted to have a match at least every three months.
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv)
October 25, 2024
Nurmagomedov then agreed to postpone his bout with Song at UFC 311 on January 18th in an Instagram exchange with “Kung Fu Kid.”
🚨👀 Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong could take place in the first PPV of the year at UFC 311 after the fight was canceled due to Yadong’s injury. (📸 @SongYadongLFG)
pic.twitter.com/mOM9FKCEJH
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
October 25, 2024
Nurmagomedov has won three of six in the UFC and solidified his status as the presumptive No. 1 contender with a unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Abu Dhabi in August of this year. Meanwhile, “The Machine” defeated O’Malley to win the title and extend his winning streak to 11.
