Henry Cejudo gave Umar Nurmagomedov some insight ahead of UFC 311.
Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome.
Cejudo’s most recent fight came against Dvalishvili at UFC 298. Although he was taken down five times en route to a unanimous decision loss, he was able to provide Nurmagomedov some tips on how to beat Dvalishvili.
“The keys for Umar is can he keep it in the center of the octagon and move laterally against a guy that’s looking for takedowns,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “Watch my first round and you’ll be able to see that. Two, could he use those kicks, those teeps, to fake off the bottom, to make this guy hesitate with the takedowns.
“Then No. 3, is Umar’s Nurmagomedov’s conditioning ready for ‘The Machine’ Merab Dvalishvili? I like this fight for Umar Nurmagomedov. Even though Merab did beat me, he did pick me up, but guess what? This guy is at a different level. I think we’re going to hear, ‘And new …'”
According to DraftKings, Nurmagomedov is a -270 favorite to dethrone Dvalishvili, who’s a +220 underdog.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
