Umar Magomednabiyevich Nurmagomedov Bio
Umar Magomednabiyevich Nurmagomedov is a Russian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on January 3, 1996, in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia, he is recognized for his grappling expertise and holds the #1 ranking in the UFC bantamweight division as of October 28, 2025.
Early Life and Background
Umar Nurmagomedov was born and raised in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia, where he began training in freestyle wrestling alongside his younger brother Usman Nurmagomedov. He later expanded his skills by practicing Thai boxing. After relocating to Makhachkala, Umar trained under his uncle Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov at the Eagles MMA camp. He is of Avar ethnic origin. At 19, he became a combat sambo world champion in the -62 kg division and subsequently won the bantamweight division at the WMMAA World Championship in amateur mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Umar transitioned into professional mixed martial arts in 2016, debuting in Moscow at Fight Nights Global 57 where he secured a victory via guillotine choke. He quickly established himself with multiple wins in Fight Nights Global and Samara MMA Federation, capturing the FMMAS Bantamweight Championship and defending it successfully. His early career also included bouts in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he continued to build his reputation with decisive wins.
Umar Nurmagomedov Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Umar Nurmagomedov began his professional MMA career in 2016, quickly demonstrating his grappling prowess with several submission victories. He fought primarily in Fight Nights Global and Samara MMA Federation, winning the FMMAS Bantamweight Championship in 2018 and defending it multiple times. His early career was marked by consistent finishes and dominant performances against regional competition.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2020–Present)
Nurmagomedov made his UFC debut in January 2021 after several scheduled bouts were postponed or canceled. He won his first UFC fight against Sergey Morozov via rear-naked choke, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He continued to impress with victories over Brian Kelleher, Nate Maness, and Raoni Barcelos, the latter by knockout, which also earned him a Performance of the Night award. In 2024, he defeated Cory Sandhagen in a bantamweight title eliminator by unanimous decision. Nurmagomedov challenged Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship in January 2025 but suffered his first professional loss by unanimous decision, a fight that earned Fight of the Night honors. Later in 2025, he rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Mario Bautista.
Eagles MMA American Kickboxing Academy Era (2016–Present)
Throughout his career, Umar has trained with Eagles MMA and the American Kickboxing Academy, benefiting from high-level coaching and training partners. His tenure with these teams has supported his development into a top-ranked bantamweight fighter known for his grappling and submission skills.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Umar Nurmagomedov is known for his combat sambo background, which translates into a strong grappling and submission game in MMA. He utilizes his wrestling foundation and submission skills to control opponents on the ground, often finishing fights with rear-naked chokes. His striking complements his grappling, enabling him to maintain pressure and dictate the pace.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Nurmagomedov’s career include becoming a combat sambo world champion at age 19, winning the FMMAS Bantamweight Championship, earning multiple Performance of the Night bonuses in the UFC, and achieving the #1 ranking in the UFC bantamweight division as of late 2025. His title challenge at UFC 311 marked his first professional loss but showcased his resilience and skill at the highest level.
Umar Nurmagomedov Career Wins
Umar Nurmagomedov has compiled a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 1 loss, with victories spanning multiple promotions including Fight Nights Global, Samara MMA Federation, PFL, and the UFC. His wins include 7 by submission, 2 by knockout, and 1 by decision.
UFC Highlights
In the UFC, Nurmagomedov has secured several notable wins, including submission victories over Sergey Morozov and Brian Kelleher, a knockout of Raoni Barcelos, and a unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen in a title eliminator. His UFC career features multiple Performance of the Night awards and a Fight of the Night honor.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Nurmagomedov captured and defended the FMMAS Bantamweight Championship and earned victories in the PFL and other regional promotions, establishing himself as a dominant bantamweight prospect.
Umar Nurmagomedov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Umar Nurmagomedov is part of a prominent fighting family from Dagestan. He is the older brother of Usman Nurmagomedov, a former Bellator and current PFL champion. Their uncle, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, was a respected coach who played a significant role in their development.
Personal Life
Umar resides in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia. Details about his marital status or children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Umar Nurmagomedov remained a top contender in the UFC bantamweight division. He challenged Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 311 but lost by unanimous decision in a closely contested bout that earned Fight of the Night honors. Later that year, he secured a unanimous decision victory over Mario Bautista at UFC 321, maintaining his position as a leading contender. Nurmagomedov is scheduled to face former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo in January 2026, signaling continued high-level competition in the coming season.