Umar Nurmagomedov Reflects on UFC 311 Loss to Merab Dvalishvili After Breaking Hand Early

Umar Nurmagomedov faced an uphill battle at UFC 311 after breaking his hand during the first round of his highly anticipated title fight against Merab Dvalishvili. The injury significantly impacted his ability to execute his game plan, yet Nurmagomedov believes the fight’s outcome is worth revisiting.

Despite the unanimous decision loss, Nurmagomedov remains confident in his performance. “I think the first round I won, the other rounds were close. I don’t think I lost this fight,” he shared in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. Nurmagomedov expressed gratitude and humility, adding, “Alhamdulillah, good or bad, I thank God for everything.”

Post-fight photos revealed significant swelling in Nurmagomedov’s left hand, raising concerns about its condition. His team at Dominance MMA confirmed that further x-rays and medical evaluations are pending to determine the extent of the injury. The broken hand rendered his left punches ineffective, forcing him to adapt mid-fight against the relentless Dvalishvili.

The fight itself was a grueling five-round contest, showcasing the elite skills of both fighters. While Dvalishvili’s pressure earned him the judges’ nod, Nurmagomedov is eager to review the footage to analyze the judges' scoring and his overall performance. “I need to see all rounds again. Nothing surprised me; I knew he was tough,” Nurmagomedov stated, reaffirming his respect for his opponent.

With a reputation as one of the most promising fighters in the UFC, this setback may only serve as fuel for Nurmagomedov’s return. As the bantamweight division continues to heat up, fans can anticipate his comeback and potential rematch with Dvalishvili or other top contenders.