Umar Nurmagomedov releases first statement since UFC 311 title fight loss [Video]

Umar Nurmagomedov is already looking ahead to another championship opportunity.

The previously undefeated fighter fell short in Saturday’s UFC 311 co-main event, dropping a unanimous decision to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in a dramatic five-round contest. Though Nurmagomedov had his moments, the inexhaustible Dvalishvili outlasted the challenger en route to his first title defense and Nurmagomedov’s first loss.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Nurmagomedov posted a statement to social media, in which he wrote he has “no excuses” and vowed to “become the champion” (auto-translation from Russian via Instagram.)

“There are no excuses,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “InshaAllah, I will become the champion. The rest is not important. Praise Allah in any situation.

“And I don’t think I’ve lost this battle if even the whole world will convince me otherwise. Deal with the injuries and get back on track.”

In his post-fight interview immediately following the loss, Nurmagomedov told commentator Joe Rogan he broke his left hand in the opening roundand that he still felt he’d done enough …