Merab Dvalishvili is speaking out about his recent altercation with a fan at UFC 310, insisting that it was not an accident.
The UFC bantamweight champion found himself involved in an incident backstage after cornering his teammate Aljamain Sterling in a fight. Video footage captured Dvalishvili being restrained by security, while his teammate Dennis Buzukja threw punches at the person involved.
The fan was reportedly escorted out of the arena, with UFC CEO Dana White comparing Dvalishvili to “mini-[Sean] Strickland” due to previous incidents outside the cage.
Dvalishvili is now claiming that the person who confronted him backstage is actually a “teammate and friend” of his upcoming opponent Umar Nurmagomedov.
Taking to Twitter, Dvalishvili expressed his frustration, accusing Umar’s team of lies and deliberate provocations.
A video circulating online alleges that the person involved in the altercation is a longtime supporter of Nurmagomedov and his team, with photos showing him alongside top fighters like Islam Makhachev.
The video suggests that the altercation stemmed from perceived disrespect towards another fighter on the UFC 310 card.
While Nurmagomedov and his team have not responded to these claims, Dvalishvili believes he was set up and drawn into a premeditated situation by his upcoming opponent.
White addressed the situation at the post-fight press conference, acknowledging Dvalishvili’s history of outside-the-cage incidents.
He also noted that fighters often develop conspiracy theories, feeling like they are constantly under attack.
Despite the controversy, Dvalishvili remains focused on his upcoming fight against Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.