TLDR
- Umar Nurmagomedov clarified he and Petr Yan are “not friends and not enemies” ahead of UFC 324
- Nurmagomedov doesn’t expect an immediate title shot after fighting Deiveson Figueiredo on Saturday
- A potential rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan could determine the next title challenger
- Nurmagomedov is a massive -1600 betting favorite against former flyweight champion Figueiredo
- A future fight between Nurmagomedov and Yan would create a major all-Russian title bout
Sources: Bloody Elbow | Cageside Press | Empire Sports Media
Umar Nurmagomedov has cleared up confusion about his relationship with bantamweight champion Petr Yan ahead of his UFC 324 fight this Saturday. The #2 ranked contender addressed recent comments made by his cousin Khabib about potential tension between the two Russian fighters.
“You know it means like, we’re not friends, and we’re not enemy,” Nurmagomedov told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s going to be big fight for our country.”
Nurmagomedov explained that any negative feelings he has toward Yan are no different from those he has for any fighter he expects to face in the Octagon. He stressed that he doesn’t have problems with opponents outside the cage.
The 19-1 fighter faces former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo on Saturday night in what could determine his path back to title contention. Nurmagomedov lost a close decision to current champion Merab Dvalishvili almost exactly one year ago in his first career loss.
Umar Nurmagomedov and team working hard to get his cardio peak ready for #UFC324 🏃♂️🥊 pic.twitter.com/wdb1jmz6mj
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 20, 2026
No Guarantee of Title Shot
Despite being a massive betting favorite at -1600 odds against Figueiredo, Nurmagomedov isn’t assuming a win will earn him an immediate title shot. Figueiredo had said early on that he believed a win would put him next in line for the championship.
Nurmagomedov didn’t share that same certainty. “No, I don’t feel even he going to be next,” Nurmagomedov said.
“Maybe after these fights we’re going to fight for the title. Merab and Petr maybe will fight rematch. For me doesn’t matter. Any option, I’ll be ready.”
The bantamweight division’s title picture remains unclear with multiple scenarios possible. Yan recently defeated Dvalishvili to win the championship, setting up the possibility of a rematch between those two fighters.
Figueiredo, who just turned 38, is currently ranked 6th in the division. Since moving up to bantamweight, the former flyweight champion has gone 4-2 with losses to Yan and Cory Sandhagen.
He’s coming off a decision win against Montel Jackson where he was the betting underdog. At 135 pounds, Figueiredo has relied heavily on wrestling and bully tactics rather than the striking power that made him successful at flyweight.
Potential All-Russian Title Fight
If Nurmagomedov wins and gets a title shot against Yan, it would create a major fight between two Russian competitors. Nurmagomedov sees the matchup as something bigger than personal rivalry.
“Two guys fighting for the title, and that’s it,” he said. The fight would represent a major event for Russian MMA fans with two top fighters from their country competing for a UFC championship.
Nurmagomedov bounced back from his loss to Dvalishvili with a tough decision win over Mario Bautista at UFC 321 in October. That victory kept him in title contention at #2 in the rankings.
Analysts expect Nurmagomedov to have advantages in both wrestling and overall striking against Figueiredo. While Nurmagomedov has been rocked on the feet in previous fights, experts question whether Figueiredo has enough power at bantamweight to capitalize.
The fight serves as the featured prelim bout for UFC 324, which marks the beginning of the promotion’s Paramount era after a six-week break from events. Nurmagomedov faces Figueiredo on Saturday night with his title aspirations hanging in the balance.
