"This better be true" - Fans react after Ali Abdelaziz claims Umar Nurmagomedov fighting for the title next is a "done deal"

MMA fans have been reacting after Ali Abdelaziz appeared to confirm his client, Umar Nurmagomedov, will be the next challenger for the bantamweight title.

Nurmagomedov, cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, recently cemented himself as a top contender in the 135-pound division when he faced Cory Sandhagen last month. The Dagestani fighter dominated the fight with his wrestling and grappling, earning a unanimous decision victory.

Whilst there had been rumors that Sean O'Malley may rematch the newly crowned champion Merab Dvalishvili, it seems as though Nurmagomedov has earned him his first shot at UFC gold.

Taking to X, Abdelaziz, the Dominance MMA CEO, tweeted:

"@UNmgdv fighting for the UFC Bantamweight championship next done deal"

Check out the tweet here:

Fans have since been reacting to the potential fight news, with one fan desperately pleading that it was true. They wrote:

"This better be true Ali"

Another fan said:

"Umar deserves it!"

One fan added:

"Lets gooooo!"

Another fan wasn't so sure about the news, however, and will only believe so once the pair are stood across from one another in the octagon. They wrote:

"I will not believe untill the octagon cage is closed... Because he [is] the duck master right now or he will pull out after signing the contract @MerabDvalishvil"

One fan also echoed the same sentiment, writing:

"Can’t run from it @MerabDvalishvil"

Check out more reactions here:

More fan reactions

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Former UFC champion doesn't believe Umar Nurmagomedov deserves a title shot

Former flyweight Deiveson Figueiredo has revealed he isn't so sure Umar Nurmagomedov is deserving of a bantamweight title shot.

The Brazilian has been on a tear since stepping up a division, earning three straight wins at 135 pounds to catapult himself to the No.5 spot in the rankings. With his own push for the title in mind, 'Deus da Guerra' weighed in on Nurmagomedov's aspirations, stating that he doesn't yet think the Dagestani has earned his chance yet.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Figueiredo said:

"Umar Nurmagomedov just got here. He just had his first fight against a tough guy and I'm sure he has to get tested more, to fight someone else first - maybe [Sean O'Malley]. I'm already tested. I left a division where I was champion and moved up and fought strong guys. I had no easy fights. I definitely present more danger to Merab. I'm ready to fight him." [H/t MMA Fighting]