Umar Nurmagomedov Feels His Ascent Is Only A Matter Of Time

Umar Nurmagomedov believes his ascent to the top of the bantamweight category is only a matter of time.

Umar Nurmagomedov (14-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov(14-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) , will take on Nate Maness during the UFC on ESPN 38 main card this Saturday. The event will take place at the UFC Apex and air on ESPN after preliminary action on ESPN2

It is going to be the third fight for Nurmagomedov, where he will look to keep his perfect record intact. This will be his second fight of the year, and he expects this battle to demonstrate his readiness to “soon” compete against the top 135-pounders.

“I think I’m ready for these guys, and I want to push,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 38 media day. “If they give me top 15, I’m ready. I know this. I can compete with these guys. But I don’t know where they’ll put me after this fight.”

Nurmagomedov exudes confidence, and he claims that his cousin Khabib and other American Kickboxing Academy teachers have taught him to focus on the here and now. Nurmagomedov stated that while he respects Maness as an opponent, he fully plans to come out victorious in the end.

“I think he’s good fighter,” Nurmagomedov said. “He has good boxing, good grappling, good wrestling. We’ll see. He’s good fighter. I’m feeling it’s going to be a good fight.