UFC 321: Dana White makes 'deal' with Umar Nurmagomedov to earn a title shot with a win over Mario Bautista
Nurmagomedov plans on a statement win against Bautista at UFC 321, one that'll earn him a Merab Dvalishvili rematch
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Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista isn't an official title eliminator, but there's a good chance it produces the next bantamweight title challenger. According to UFC CEO Dana White, the winner will help their case by putting on a show at UFC 321.
Nurmagomedov and Bautista are well-positioned to challenge Merab Dvalishvili if the champ beats Petr Yan at UFC 323. Nurmagomedov had the best showing against Dvalishvili in a failed bid for the title in January. A win over No. 2-ranked contender Nurmagomedov would extend Bautista's win streak to nine.
"I have a question for you, Dana," Nurmagomedov said at Thursday's pre-fight press conference. "Can I ask? Is it possible that me and Mario is a contender fight?"
"Could this fight be the contender fight?" White replied. "Go out there and put on a show on Saturday that makes people go, 'Damn, one of these guys should be fighting for the title next.'"
UFC 321 predictions, odds, best bets: Prop picks for the title fights, Umar Nurmagomedov among top choices
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Nurmagomedov accepted White's challenge, which also extends to Bautista.
"OK, I'm going to do it," Nurmagomedov said, to which White replied, "Deal."
Nurmagomedov did not commit to a knockout, submission, or Fight of the Night. Instead, he's keeping an open-ended approach to how he'll meet White's request.
"I think I just need to show the best performance," Nurmagomedov said. "If it's going to be a finish, of course it's going to be great, but I think I will show all my skills everywhere, and what I want, I'm going to show, a very good performance."
UFC 321 is headlined by UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane. A vacant women's strawweight fight featuring Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern occupies the co-main event.
