Merab Dvalishvili defended his UFC bantamweight title for the first time at UFC 311 against top contender Umar Nurmagomedov. It was a complete performance from the champion, which earned him millions of new fans. However, it was surprising to see everything that the Georgian had to go through to keep his undisputed championship reign.
After the fight, Nurmagomedov shared pictures of his broken hand and used it as an excuse for losing. However, fans were shocked to see Dvalishvili’s leg injury that took place ahead of the fight, which was kept hidden. In a recent interview, the champion shared how he tricked the commission and didn’t show the injury.
Thursday, I have pants on, and the commission guy asked me to show him my leg, to show to the shin, and I lift my left leg pants, and show him [my uninjured] shin. He kept talking, and then one second [he] asked me to show him the other leg. I show, again, left leg. And then he done and never knew about the cut.
Merab Dvalishvili via The Ariel Helwani Show
The injury happened due to an accident, that left a big cut on the champion’s right leg. However, it didn’t affect the fighter’s dominance inside the octagon. In the initial rounds, Dvalishvili had some troubles with Nurmagomedov’s striking, which cost him two rounds.
How did Merab get the cut that required 27 stitches on his shin past the California State Athletic Commission?
He showed the doctor the same leg twice—and somehow it worked! 😂
Reminiscent of Michael Bisping sneaking past the commissions with his eye injury.@MerabDvalishvil /… pic.twitter.com/IfW8kE7LT3
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) January 20, 2025
However, as the fight went deep, the inhuman cardio of Dvalishvili helped him to bounce back. It was too much for the Dagestani to handle as he looked lifeless towards the end of the battle. After the winner’s announcement, Nurmagomedov couldn’t believe he lost despite the clear dominance from the champion.
Fight fans react to Merab Dvalishvili getting himself injured before the Umar Nurmagomedov fight
In the past, ahead of his title fight against Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili injured himself and posted it on social media. This received backlash, particularly from UFC CEO Dana White, who deemed it unprofessional and stupid. It seems like the champion has learned his lesson and decided to keep this new injury hidden before UFC 311.
Merab Dvalishvili beats Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 (via Instagram)The fight shifted the dynamics around Merab Dvalishvili, who impressed everyone by beating a ‘Nurmagomedov’ in front of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. He also humiliated the challenger by emoting and trolling mid-fight. Nevertheless, here are some reactions to Dvalishvili’s injury story.
😭😭 show the same leg twice .. hes so funny 😭🐐🐐
— adri ✝️ (@_AllUnderHeaven) January 21, 2025
Why do I feel like this would only work in mma 😂😂 too good
— David (@DJ_Large) January 20, 2025
thats bad sheesh
— MakhachevGOAT | UmarGOAT | PantojaGOAT (@Pantoja_GOAT) January 21, 2025
Really nasty 🤢🤒
— Chandra leka (@Chandralek12774) January 20, 2025
How tf does this even happen tho
— Kevin (@Ruinedking08) January 20, 2025
Umar fan boys crying that he broke his hand mid fight meanwhile merab injured his leg mid training camp and still won 😂😂😂
— NawhtA Trouhl (@NawhtA_Trouhl) January 20, 2025
He must have kicked something stupid.
— TruthisGood (@truthizgood) January 21, 2025
Bro merab just proved that he in fact is a machine . Bro is beyond human , the level of pain after that injury many will not take it .
— Jarman Gill (@jarmangill343) January 19, 2025
It is so sad that UFC forced him to defend his title when he was not 100%.
— Mr Prince Isaac (@MrPrinceIsaac) January 20, 2025
Crazy that a medical professional can’t tell the difference between a left leg and a right leg.
— Mike Smith (@Dog_Meat_Man) January 20, 2025
The things you shouldn’t say out loud…
— junglegsus (Mustafa) (@Junglegsus) January 20, 2025
Merab wasn’t 100% and still big brothered Umar. Levels to this game and his cardio.
— Jacob Tedla (@TedlaJacob) January 20, 2025
As expected, many fans had a shocking reaction to Dvalishvilli’s sneaky stunt in front of the commission. Others were amazed at how the fighter contained his training camp after suffering from such a gruesome injury. Some compared this to Umar Nurmagomedov’s hand injury and talked about the difference in levels between both fighters.
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