UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has done a 360 on his decision to fight Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili won the bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley in a dominating fashion at UFC 306 in the Sphere. After winning the fight unanimously, he seemed hesitant to fight Team Khabib’s Umar Nurmagomedov.
Dvalishvili looked very uninterested in fighting Nurmagomedov. He felt the ‘Young Eagle’ didn’t beat Cory Sandhagen in a dominant fashion. The Georgian fighter brought up how Aljamain Sterling finished Sandhagen where Nurmagomedov couldn’t. There were harsh criticisms towards Dvalishvili for his reluctance to fight Nurmagomedov, but the champ has now responded.
Guys- I hear all of you! I am a company man. Whoever the UFC puts in front of me, I will fight as I always do ,even if I don’t think they deserve the next shot.
Merab Dvalishvili via X
Dvalishvili initially questioned Nurmagomedov’s legitimacy as the next contender. Going as far as mocking the undefeated Dagestani, insinuating that he was not a real Russian. This even got the attention of the UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Considering the real-world problems between Georgia and Russia, things seem tense between the two camps.
Guys- I hear all of you! I am a company man. Whoever the UFC puts in front of me , I will fight as I always do ,even if I don’t think they deserve the next shot. Let’s Go 🦾
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) September 18, 2024
Despite dethroning Dana White‘s star, it is uncertain when the Georgian will fight his first title defense. Riding on an 11-fight win streak, he has taken down legends of the game before clinching the title. With a newfound rivalry with the Dagestani, the matchmakers are surely keen on making this happen. This could potentially see the two best wrestlers in the organization going toe to toe.
Sean O’Malley’s coach talks about Merab Dvalishvili’s next fight vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
With his dominating performance at the Sphere, Merab Dvalishvili’s next opponent is mostly likely the Dagestani. The fight has all the potential to be a grappling masterclass, given the tension already among the fighters. Dvalishvili’s takedown defense and stamina will come into play as Nurmagomedov battles the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov on a daily.
Tim Welch believes Merab Dvalishvili will have a tough time against Umar Nurmagomedov (via Imago)Sean O’Malley’s head coach, Tim Welch, also had things to say about Dvalishvili’s potential title defense. Welch has previously claimed Khabib’s protege to be a serious problem to be reckoned with.
Given Umar Nurmagomedov’s reach advantage as well as his elite-level wrestling, it could be all too much for the new champion.
It’s going to be interesting, cause Merab is going to be able to get deep into those shots with Umar and probably not be able to finish him. The way Merab’s going to win that fight is probably similar to Sean. I think it’s a very tough fight for Merab.
Tim Welch via ESPN MMA Youtube
Having seen how easy it was for Dvalishvili to beat O’Malley, one can surely expect a tougher contest for the Georgian’s first title defense. With O’Malley confirmed to be sidelined for at least 10 months, the bantamweight division is surely on the watch for its next biggest star in Dvalishvili or the iconic Nurmagomedov name in Umar.
