UFC 311 surely feels like a big night for the Dagestani camp. After all, three members of the team are stepping into the cage, with Islam Makhachev leading the charge and Umar Nurmagomedov right behind him. If you’re a fan of Khabib Nurmagomedov and the Dagestani fighting style, this event has to feel like Christmas coming early. But wait, there’s another side to this story. Umar isn’t just any fighter, he’s Khabib’s cousin.

That connection alone brings both hype and scrutiny. Is the Young Eagle’s rise to fame based purely on his talent, or is the UFC spotlighting him because of his surname? Chael Sonnen has had his say about what Umar brings to the table, calling him a better all-around striker. Sonnen praised Umar’s creativity in the Octagon and said, “He’ll step past and kick you square in the mouth with his foot….and kick you right in the face with it. Anderson (Silva) did that to Vitor (Belfort), and they called it one of the greatest knockouts ever.”

But Sonnen doesn’t think that’s enough against the relentless bantamweight champ. “Merab takes that away,” the verbose analyst explained, referring to Dvalishvili’s ability to eliminate space and smother opponents. So the question isn’t just if Umar’s highlight reel arsenal can shine, but if can he prove himself against a fighter who thrives on relentless pressure.

Now, coming to why all this flash? And is it a hard sell? Mostly because Umar’s last name isn’t just Nurmagomedov, it’s practically a brand. Being Khabib’s cousin comes with its perks, no doubt. But here’s something to chew on, Khabib and UFC boss Dana White haven’t exactly been on great terms every time. Remember the disagreements over Khabib’s retirement, fighter pay, and his departure from the promotion?

Could it be that the UFC is using Umar to keep the Nurmagomedov name relevant, even as they maintain a frosty relationship with Khabib himself? And if that’s the case, is Umar being set up for success or failure?

But let’s not sleep on Merab Dvalishvili. The guy didn’t earn the nickname ‘The Machine’ for nothing. His nonstop pace, smothering pressure, and cardio that seems to last forever have broken some of the division’s best fighters. And if there’s one thing Merab doesn’t care about, it’s flashy moves.

Umar vs. Merab is a battle of personal narratives

So here we have Dagestan’s pride on the line, Merab’s title up for grabs, and the UFC likely holding its breath to see how this all plays out. If Umar wins, it’s another feather in the Nurmagomedov cap and a reminder of Dagestan’s dominance in MMA. If he loses, though, what does that mean for the ‘Khabib brand’?

Back to the fight itself, this isn’t just a clash of styles. It’s a clash of narratives. On one side, you have Merab, the relentless champ who’s beaten Sean O’Malley and proven himself time and again. On the other, you have Umar, undefeated and flashy but still trying to prove he’s more than Khabib’s cousin.

“He’s c*cky,” Merab said about Umar. “He acts like no one wants to fight him and that he’s untouchable. I’ll humble him.” And the Georgian has a point. Fighting him is like trying to sprint uphill, he doesn’t give you room to breathe, let alone space to pull off spinning kicks or flying knees.

For the champ, this fight is personal. He claims Umar disrespected him by calling him ‘old’ and saying, “It’s my time now.” In response, Merab vowed to teach Umar a lesson. “I’ll show him the real level,” he said. Meanwhile, Umar remains unshaken. “You own your words before you say them. After that, your words own you,” he said, exuding confidence. But confidence can only take you so far when Merab is in your face, refusing to give you a second to think.

What do you think? Can Umar’s Anderson Silva-like style shine through, or will Merab’s suffocating pace expose the limits of his flash? And how much of this fight is really about the fighters, and how much is about Khabib’s legacy and the UFC’s politics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!