Umar Nurmagomedov seals impressive submission debut win at UFC Fight Night

Bantamweight secures second-round victory over Sergey Morozov at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with cousin Khabib in attendance

US fighter Michael Chiesa on his way to victory over countryman Neil Magny in their welterweight fight during UFC Fight Night at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. All images Getty

Michael Chiesa celebrates his victory over Neil Magny.

Michael Chiesa takes down Neil Magny.

Neil Magny punches Michael Chiesa.

Brazil's Warlley Alves lands a kick on his way to victory over Mounir Lazzez of Tunisia in a welterweight fight.

Warlley Alves celebrates after his knockout victory over Mounir Lazzez.

Russia's Umar Nurmagomedov celebrates after his victory over Sergey Morozov of Kazakhstan in a bantamweight bout.

Umar Nurmagomedov lands a kick on Sergey Morozov during his submission victory.

US fighter Ike Villanueva lands a punch on his way to victory over Vinicius Moreira of Brazil in a light heavyweight bout.

Vinicius Moreira of Brazil punches Ike Villanueva.

Brazil's Viviane Araujolands a punch on Roxanne Modafferi of the US in a flyweight bout.

Roxanne Modafferi punches Viviane Araujo.

US fighter Matt Schnell lands a punch on his way to victory over countryman Tyson Nam in their flyweight bout.

Tyson Nam punches Matt Schnell.

British fighter Lerone Murphy lands a punch on his way to victory over Douglas Silva de Andrade of Brazil in their featherweight bout.

Douglas Silva de Andrade lands a kick on Lerone Murphy.

Dalcha Lungiambula of the Congo punches Brazil's Markus Perez. Lungiambula won the bout.

Markus Perez kicks Dalcha Lungiambula.

Belgium's Gaetano Pirrello punches Ricky Simon of the US in a bantamweight bout.

Ricky Simon prepares to take down Gaetano Pirrello on his way to victory via submission.

Uzbekistan's Zarrukh Adashev punches Su Mudaerji of China. Mudaerji won the bout.

Su Mudaerji punches Zarrukh Adashev.

Brazil's Francisco Figueiredo punches Jerome Rivera on his way to victory over the American in their flyweight bout.

Jerome Rivera and Francisco Figueiredo during their flyweight bout.

United States fighter Victoria Leonardo punches Manon Fiorot on her way to a knockout victory over the French fighter in a flyweight bout.

Manon Fiorot lands a punch on Victoria Leonardo.

Welsh fighter Mason Jones punches Mike Davis of the United States in a lightweight bout won by the American

Mike Davis kicks Mason Jones.

Umar Nurmagomedov has promised to display even more of his skillset next time out in the UFC, after he kept the family name flying proudly in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to seal a stunning debut victory.

The bantamweight, the cousin of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, was incredibly impressive early on at UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs Magny, seeing off Sergey Morozov by second-round submission.

Falling exactly nine years after Khabib secured a win on UFC debut with the same submission, it lifted Umar's professional record to 13-0.

Khabib, whose return from retirement continues to be the subject of much conjecture, cornered his cousin at Etihad Arena. The Dagestan native, himself undefeated, then translated for Umar inside the octagon post-fight and again at the press conference afterwards.

“I’m very happy I can finish this guy and can show the world that I can kick, I can punch, I can wrestle, no problem,” the younger Nurmagomedov said. “But at same time I am a little bit sad because it was not my best performance.

“In future, I’m going to show you guys why this fight wasn’t the best performance. In the beginning I was a little bit tired, I don’t understand why.”

Nurmagomedov had been made to wait for his UFC bow after having his debut postponed twice last year for a variety of reasons. However, the 24-year-old is expected to take the division by storm, especially considering his family stock.

Asked what he can achieve in the sport, Nurmagomedov said: “Of course I believe that I can become champion. I just need to focus and step-by-step show the world my best performance. I’m really excited about the future because I have to achieve a lot.”

Nurmagomedov has previously said he considered Abu Dhabi a second home, since the family shares a strong affinity with the emirate that dates back beyond Khabib’s two most recent victories there.

“This meant a lot for me and my family,” he said, before Khabib Nurmagomedov, sitting now far away with the microphone, interjected.

“I don’t think he understands what he’s feeling,” the 29-0 fighter said. “I think after a couple of days he’s going to realise what’s happened. That’s my opinion.”

It was put to Umar if his cousin should return for one more fight. Khabib retired immediately following his victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October, but the UFC has teased a comeback. He still holds the lightweight belt.

“I hope,” Umar said, as Khabib jokingly mimicked his response.