Copyright Yardbarker
The tension around UFC 321 was not restricted to the Octagon; it also spread into the online realm, thanks to Paddy Pimblett. Fans expected a statement performance from Umar Nurmagomedov, who made his long-awaited return with a unanimous decision victory over Mario Bautista. But for many, including Pimblett, the bout didn’t exactly live up to the hype. Watching the fight unfold, the Liverpool native couldn’t help but express his unfiltered reaction. “Some of these fights are putting me to sleep, though, you know. Sorry to say everyone, but this is one boring fight,” Pimblett said, yawning while watching the fight live on his YouTube channel. He acknowledged Umar’s brief scare—“Apart from Umar hitting the deck off a knee”—but added that “two fights in a row would have been more like grappling matches than fights.” It was not an attack on the Dagestani’s skill; instead, it was some frustration with the lack of excitement being offered in the Octagon. And Paddy Pimblett‘s comments hit especially hard given the stakes. Dana White had challenged Nurmagomedov before UFC 321 to “put on a show” that would convince fans he deserved another opportunity at Merab Dvalishvili‘s bantamweight title. Despite leading the scoreboard, Nurmagomedov relied mainly on his wrestling and control rather than the kind of explosive performance White had hoped for. “Umar needs a partner,” Pimblett stated, suggesting that the Dagestani’s conservative approach made for a boring viewing experience. He even claimed that Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protégé will need to win another fight before he can get himself a title shot. “Umar is going to beat someone else if he wants a title shot.” To his credit, Nurmagomedov still showcased his trademark composure, surviving an early knockdown and Bautista’s slick submission attempts. Round after round, he did what champions-in-waiting are supposed to do: stay clever and secure victory. However, in a sport where entertainment value is often as important as strategy, Paddy Pimblett’s criticism struck a chord with fans who prefer highlight-reel moments to calculated control. Now, as Umar Nurmagomedov calls for the winner of Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2, questions linger about whether his powerful yet subdued style will be enough to earn him a rematch. The Liverpool native’s jab wasn’t just about one fight; it was a warning shot that even the most technical fighters must remember what fans are looking for: moments that make them jump out of their seats, not drift off in them. But it wasn’t all upon the Dagestani to keep the entertainment value high, as the event itself was very wrestling-heavy, with a major record being set in Abu Dhabi. Umar Nurmagomedov helps UFC 321 set a new record Umar Nurmagomedov‘s win in Abu Dhabi proved to be part of something more than his comeback. UFC 321 set the record for the most takedowns ever landed at a single event, with sixty in total. Even without a heavyweight main event, Nurmagomedov and Virna Jandiroba led the way with eleven and nine, turning the night into a grappling clinic that perfectly matched Nurmagomedov’s control-heavy fighting style. However, this dominance also contributed to the event’s divided reception. With so many fighters relying on takedowns, fans were left desiring the chaos and drama that typically define pay-per-view events. Henry Cejudo, a former Olympic wrestler, didn’t hold back in his assessment. He called UFC 321 “the worst card in UFC history,” citing a lack of excitement, poor judging, and an anticlimactic main event featuring Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall. Despite the criticism, the stats speak for themselves. Sixty takedowns may not excite casual fans, but they show how grappling has evolved as a significant tool in modern MMA. For Umar Nurmagomedov, whose technique prioritizes precision over chaos, being part of that record speaks to a quiet kind of excellence—one that may not make the highlight reels but still leaves its mark in the history books.
