This is the UFC 321 live blog for Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista, the main card bantamweight bout Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov is currently No. 2 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, behind only champion Merab Dvalishvili. Bautista stands at No. 6.
Since suffering his first loss to Dvalishvili in a title fight this past January, Nurmagomedov (18-1) has remained on the sidelines. He now has the opportunity to earn a rematch if he can get pas the tricky Bautista. Prior to losing to Dvalishvili, Nurmagomedov won his first six UFC fights, including a decision over Cory Sandhagen that led to his title shot at UFC 311.
Bautista (16-2) quietly built up his contender résumé, stringing together a few first-round submissions before graduating into bigger fights with names like Jose Aldo, Patchy Mix, and Ricky Simon. Each time, Bautista found a way to win on the scorecards, and he is now riding an eight-fight win streak. A title shot is all but guaranteed if he can upset Nurmagomedov.
Check out the UFC 321 live blog for Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista below.
Round 1: Refere Jason Herzog oversees the action. Body kick from Bautista and Nurmagomedov immediately gets a takedown off of it. Loud “Umar” chants as Bautista fights back to the feet. Nurmagomedov maintains the body lock and drives Bautista back down. Bautista hunting for a toe hold. That looks uncomfortable, but Nurmagomedov fights and scrambles and gets back on top. Nurmagomedov in side control.
Bautista works back to full guard. Nurmagomedov busy on top, slipping in short punches. Nothing doing major damage but enough to score. Bautista gives up the back to try and stand, Nurmagomedov heavy on him, he takes out one of Bautista’s posts and now he has full back control against the fence. All control from Nurmagomedov so far.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Nurmagomedov.
Round 2: Whoa, Bautista lands a huge knee as Nurmagomedov changes levels and Nurmagomedov touches ground. Knockdown. He recovers quickly, but Nurmagomedov has a lot of catching up to do now. There’s a takedown for Nurmagomedov with plenty of time to work.
Aggressive grappling from Nurmagomedov and he has Bautista’s back once more, body triangle locked in. Bautista is so active, though, he’s not accepting this position. Nurmagomedov sneaking in punches where he can. Good scramble from Bautista and he’s out. Just as I type that, another takedown by Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov briefly in side control, Bautista works back to full guard. I still think this is Bautista’s round.
Nurmagomedov to the back again. Bautista continues to fight and they’re back standing. Good counter punch from Nurmagomedov. He strings together some punches and maybe he took the round back?
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Bautista. Overall, 19-19.
Round 3: Glancing left from Nurmagomedov. Bautista punches the body. He hits Nurmagomedov with a good right. Left hand from Nurmagomedov down the middle. Takedown by Nurmagomedov and he secures a body lock. They’re back up, wrestling against the fence, Nurmagomedov with another takedown, Bautista again fights to get back up. Battle of wills.
Brief exchange with half a round to go, Nurmagomedov goes back to the wrestling. Nurmagomedov in side control and he has one of Bautista’s wrists. Bautista just won’t stop moving and he’s back on the feet. Nurmagomedov refuses to give him any room to breathe, body lock, takedown. They separate and Nurmagomedov looks confident he won.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Nurmagomedov. Overall, 29-28 Nurmagomedov.
