As UFC 311 looms on the horizon, Dana White finds himself grappling with yet another curveball. This time, it’s centered around one-half of the co-main event of the event, Umar Nurmagomedov. Reports have surfaced about Umar nursing a hand injury, which has fans buzzing about his readiness to compete.

The injury stems from a training mishap in Dagestan several months ago. According to sources, Khabib’s protege suffered the setback during an intense sparring session where he landed a punch that fractured a bone in his hand. Despite this, there’s been no official announcement of a withdrawal, leaving everyone wondering: how will he fight? Enter UFC insider Chael Sonnen with the inside scoop. While details remain scarce, it seems Umar has taken measures to ensure he’s ready to step into the Octagon, injury and all.

Chael Sonnen gets brutally honest regarding Umar Nurmagomedov’s injury

Can any fighter, no matter how skilled or dominant, truly compete with a broken or healing arm? History shows us that even legends like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have been forced into hiatuses due to severe injuries, regardless of their status. So what about Umar Nurmagomedov? That’s a question many are asking as rumors swirl about Umar’s readiness for his UFC 311 appearance.

Among those raising doubts is none other than Chael Sonnen who addressed the injury claims head-on in his latest YouTube video. ‘The Bad Guy’ he didn’t mince words, “They cannot put damaged goods in an unarmed fight. They have now taken this interview down. This interview that I am telling you about—that existed when I went to bed last night—does not exist anymore. It is gone.”

Before diving into the controversy surrounding his injury, Sonnen made an important observation about Nurmagomedov’s unique place in UFC history. He highlighted that Umar represents the rise of one of the first fighting dynasties since the Gracie family to establish a lasting legacy in MMA.

Under the leadership of Khabib Nurmagomedov, their camp is blazing a trail, with three champions already reigning across different promotions—a feat that cements their growing dominance in the sport. So what exactly did Umar say about his injury?

Umar Nurmagomedov explains his broken arm situation

“After I was in Dagestan, I punched with my arm,” Umar Nurmagomedov revealed in an interview with ESPN MMA. “I went to the show doctor, and they checked the bone. I got an X-ray, and they said it was broken. After that, after 20 days, I went again. Even when it was broken, I was running.”

Despite the setback, Nurmagomedov explained that he didn’t let the injury halt his momentum. “You know, after that, after 20 days, I go again. Even when I was hurt, I was running. I wanted to still be in shape, you know. Even that time, I tried to run, tried to do shadow boxing, you know, try to be in shape. And after 20 days, I go again, and it’s become much better.”

The Dagestani phenom has since assured fans that his recovery is complete and has asked his manager to schedule a fight for January. This much-anticipated matchup with Merab Dvalishvili is finally set to materialize, following months of tension and verbal sparring between the two bantamweight standouts.

While Nurmagomedov’s striking skills give him a clear advantage over the relentless Georgian, questions remain about his readiness to perform at the highest level. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and both fighters are hungry to make a statement in the division. Can Nurmagomedov defy the odds and prove that he’s fully recovered, or will the lingering effects of his injury become a factor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!