Deiveson Figueiredo is a more worthy number-one contender than Umar Nurmagomedov, according to Merab Dvalishvili. The Georgian bantamweight is next week’s title challenger for the Noche UFC (UFC 306) pay-per-view. He meets the champion Sean O’Malley in UFC’s first event in the Sphere. Should he get past that, Dvalishvili has Figgy in mind for a title defense.
Following his UFC on ABC 7 main event win, UFC CEO Dana White announced Umar Nurmagomedov as the next in line for O’Malley’s gold. Merab Dvalishvili makes the case that former flyweight champ Figueiredo has had better running since his move-up. ‘God of War’ even went through former title challenger Marlon Vera very recently.
Deiveson Figueiredo deserves to fight for the belt… He beat one former champion in this weight class and one title challenger, and he beat Rob Font. And Figueiredo is former champion, and he has big name, and he deserves…Umar, he only beat Cory Sandhagen from top 15. I’m not saying – even if I would be champion, he has to fight Sean O’Malley. I don’t think he deserves to fight for the belt…
Merab Dvalishvili in UFC 306 pre-fight interview to Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie
The Noche UFC title header fighter appeared in a pre-fight check-in where he weighed in on his cut. During the interview, Dvalishvili made his feelings known about Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) known. He also posted a distracted guy meme on his socials.
‘The Machine’ is seen frolicking about with Sean O’Malley, while in the thematic representation of the meme, he has his eyes on the ‘bigger fish’ Figgy. His comments even got back a reply. The meme, by photographer Antonio Guillem, was posted on the stock photo database iStock in 2015.
Merab just focus on your upcoming fight. Too much Umar in your head. Everybody knows that you don’t want to fight me. And honestly I don’t care about you, I’m just hunting for the belt. If you win the belt, we talk.
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) September 6, 2024
Deiveson Figueiredo (24-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) touts wins over Chito, Rob Font, and Cody Garbrandt. He was also a marquee card opener for the milestone April UFC 300 pay-per-view event. So it’s not far off to be ‘distracted’ by Figgy and his rep so far. The supposition of him as a more worthy No. 1 contender right before the UFC 306 pay-per-view has already gone viral.
Fight fans react to Merab Dvalishvili’s ‘distracted guy’ meme
Figgy has largely improved to 3-0 since he moved up to the UFC bantamweight division in December 2023. The former two-time flyweight champion proved he is a legitimate threat after docking a win at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Deiveson Figueiredo even drew a bold reaction from 135-pound kingpin Sean O’Malley, wanting to KO him.
Fans react to UFC 306’s Merab Dvalishvili choosing Deiveson Figueiredo over Umar Nurmagomedov (Source: heavy.com/X)Figgy was also the first fighter ever to knock down Vera in his 24-fight UFC career. Even ‘Suga’ and his violent knee could not down him at UFC 299. Hence, it’s not surprising that funnyman Merab Dvalishvili would play into the ‘distracted boyfriend’ theme and flirt with this pairing. Here’s what the MMA community thinks of the proposition.
mad photoshop skills 😅
— #1 Handyman Service 🇺🇸 (@I_can_fix_all) September 4, 2024
It did not bode well for the Georgian wrestler right before his Noche UFC appearance. While some lauded his meme, a prime reaction (@Owned__) jibed, “Merab already trying to duck Umar lmao.” A few others noted similarly.
However, the idea of Figgy already as a 135-pound title challenger excites many. Quite a few mentioned that the Brazilian is built differently and can go through all these top crops. As such, the meme has started quite a conversation. Will it be so? Only time will tell.
