The road to UFC 311, the first pay-per-view event of 2025, set to take place tonight at the Intuit Dome in California, has been far from smooth for Dana White and the promotion. Unexpected challenges have plagued the event since December 2024. The first setback occurred when Merab Dvalishvili, scheduled to defend his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov, disclosed a severe injury to his right shin. To make matters worse, wildfires devastated California during the first week of 2025, further complicating the lead-up to the event.

To make matters more complicated, last week, Umar Nurmagomedov revealed that he too had suffered an injury ahead of the fight. His admission raised eyebrows within the MMA community, including from ‘The Machine’, who dismissed it as “bullsh-t” and claimed his own injury was worse. This has cast doubt on the authenticity of ‘Young Eagle’s’ injury. So, is he truly hurt going into the fight against Dvalishvili? Let’s take a closer look.

What injury did Umar Nurmagomedov suffer from?

Earlier this month, bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov revealed, “After I was in Dagestan, I punched my arm, went to the doctor, and they did an X-ray. They said, ‘You broke your arm.’ You know? 20 days later, I went again, even though it was still broken.” ‘Young Eagle’ admitted to fracturing his arm before UFC 311 while he was in Dagestan. However, he also claimed to have fully recovered from the injury, which raised some skepticism among fans.

Merab Dvalishvili, on the other hand, dismissed the injury as an excuse. He suggested that Umar was seeking sympathy from fans and could use it as a way to explain a potential loss. ‘The Machine’ countered ‘Young Eagle’s’ claims by saying, “He was punching the bag. If you have any issue with your hand, you won’t be able to punch the bag. And he was doing it normally, so I think he’s just bringing this up to make an excuse.”

Is Umar still injured?

Doubts surrounding Umar Nurmagomedov’s readiness have been met with compelling evidence, as multiple witnesses, including Henry Cejudo, have observed him in sparring sessions. Cejudo, who joined ‘Young Eagle’s’ camp, saw him punching the bag with ease, showing no signs of discomfort. This performance highlighted the Dagestani’s preparation and determination ahead of his first title fight against Merab Dvalishvili.

Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, head coach at the American Kickboxing Academy, further dispelled concerns. Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri two days ago, Mendez assured fans of ‘Young Eagle’s’ condition, stating: “The way I see it, sparring is going great, everything is on point. Listen, no excuses. We’re ready to fight, no matter what happens. If we weren’t ready, we wouldn’t step into the cage. But we are ready, and we’re confident everything will go our way.”

With UFC 311 just hours away, anticipation for the high-stakes bantamweight showdown is at its peak. Who will emerge victorious—Umar Nurmagomedov, the young and determined challenger, or the seasoned champion Merab Dvalishvili? Both fighters are entering the Octagon with prior injuries: Nurmagomedov’s is internal and reportedly under control, while ‘The Machine’s’ visibly troubling right shin has drawn significant attention.

Can Dvalishvili overcome his injury to successfully defend his bantamweight crown, or will Nurmagomedov capitalize on this opportunity to claim the title? Share your thoughts and predictions below!