Merab Dvalishvili acknowledges that Umar Nurmagomedov poses a serious threat to his bantamweight title, but he questions whether Nurmagomedov truly deserves a shot at the belt at UFC 311.
In preparation for his first title defense, Dvalishvili had his sights set on potential rematches with Petr Yan or Sean O’Malley. However, the UFC ultimately decided that the undefeated Russian would be his next opponent. Dvalishvili emphasizes that he never shied away from the fight but was disappointed by Nurmagomedov’s attitude, particularly considering his limited experience against top-ranked opponents.
“Umar is undeniably talented, but he hasn’t earned his place like the rest of us,” Dvailishvili expressed in a recent interview with the UFC. “We’ve all worked tirelessly to reach this level, and I haven’t had anything handed to me on a silver platter. It seems like Umar has had it easy.”
“He constantly complains that no one wants to fight him, but there are numerous formidable fighters available, such as [Mario] Bautista and [Montel] Jackson. He seems to rely on the excuse that he defeated an opponent lacking in wrestling skills. It’s disappointing to see,” Dvalishvili added.
Dvalishvili has consistently voiced his belief that Nurmagomedov’s opportunities stem more from his surname than his actual achievements in the octagon.
Nurmagomedov boasts an unblemished 18-0 record with six UFC victories, yet he hasn’t faced a string of ranked opponents prior to securing his title shot. This stands in stark contrast to Dvalishvili, who remained undefeated for 10 fights and defeated three former champions before earning a title opportunity.
“While it’s a significant challenge, my main gripe is that he hasn’t earned it like a true UFC fighter should,” Dvalishvili stated. “His cockiness and lack of humility are disrespectful. Real men don’t behave in such a manner.”
Despite his reservations, Dvalishvili is setting aside his grievances with Nurmagomedov to focus on preparing for their upcoming bout on Jan. 18.
While he may not hold Nurmagomedov in high regard or agree with how he secured the title shot, Dvalishvili welcomes the opportunity to defeat another challenger, with the added satisfaction of potentially handing Nurmagomedov his first loss.
“It’s going to be a tough fight, but I’ll be looking for the finish. Defeating a top opponent like Umar Nurmagomedov will be a significant accomplishment,” Dvalishvili remarked.
“I’m not facing an easy opponent. It’s Umar Nurmagomedov. A victory against him in any manner will suffice. As long as I emerge victorious, I’ll be content,” he added.
Despite feeling that there were more deserving contenders, Dvalishvili acknowledges the buzz surrounding Nurmagomedov and is eager to extinguish it at UFC 311.
“I thrive on challenges like this. I aim to deliver what the fans and the UFC desire. I’ve had my fill of Umar’s disrespect,” Dvalishvili concluded.