Umar Nurmagomedov challenges Merab Dvalishvili in the January 18 co-main event from Inglewood, at UFC 311 PPV (pay-per-view), ahead of which, the Georgian has been highly dismissive of the challenger. The duo have had their share of call-ups and wild banter leading up to the title gold crack. Now, coach John Wood reiterated the champ’s mentality before the fight.
Dvalishvili has been vocal about not wanting to fight Umar Nurmagomedov. He believes he is an unworthy challenger and rides on the coattails of cousin Khabib. ‘Young Eagle’ has snubbed Merab Dvalishvili as the toughest fight in the division as well. Now, holding down at Camp Syndicate MMA/Team Serra-Longo (Las Vegas), John Wood explained if the chitchat has rocked the Georgian’s core or added surplus motivation.
Yeah, …yeah is [normally invested] I mean…but the thing about also knowing your fighter is there’s certain things that you need to allow to happen – that motivate them and push them in the wrong direction as long, or the right direction, as long as it’s a spill over…he is motivated and emotional by Petr Yan. Was motivated by Henry Cejudo, at one point. So it’s no different that is part of the process.
John Wood to Inside Fighting’s Mike Owens
During his UFC 311 PPV (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN) pre-fight media check-ins, Umar Nurmagomedov said that he won’t be surprised if Dvalishvili doesn’t make it to the title fight. But John Wood stated that his fighter has always had a charged-up disposition. He had such a disposition against Petr Yan and still won, and now is angling for a rematch. Dvalishvili has had a similar sauce with Henry Cejudo and still won.
So the Dagestani marks no new thing in a build-up. Matter of fact, ‘The Machine’ is just about his usual level of all-around frenetic. Willing to run things back with Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan, Dvalishvili even rubbed off Nurmagomedov as worth putting on the slate.
Javier Mendez disagrees with claims of Umar Nurmagomedov not deserving his shot at title
Merab Dvalishvili has been very vocal about his thoughts on the merits of Umar Nurmagomedov’s bid for the title. The Dagestani has one ranked Fight Night win en route to gold. Meanwhile, mean “Machine” put on a 10-fight winning streak before getting his hands on the title.
UFC 311 title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov deserves his shot, per coach (Source: agfight/boxemag.com)Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) thinks there are better deserving contenders. Even some fans and MMA pundits grazed along with this rhetoric. However, Javier Mendez, trainer of Nurmagomedov, strongly disagreed.
This is what I say: When he fought Cory Sandhagen, UFC said that whoever wins that fight would fight for the title – whether it was going to be – O’Malley or Merab…So why now that the fight is over, and Umar won, why is it that what UFC had said should no longer be true? UFC wants this fight. That’s why they brought Umar to the Sphere, right? …I don’t believe he’s scared of Umar. He’s a champion, and the champion doesn’t fear anyone
Javier Mendez to MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura in Spanish for Hablemos MMA (@HablemosMMA)
On the flip side, some fans have suggested that Merab Dvalishvili’s criticism is pure dread. A Judo black belt and multiple-time Sambo champ. Merab is proficient with chain attacks and lean-ins. He works the clinch a bit too well and chases takedowns like a fanatic. However, the Team Eagle camp is infamous for the high-level Sambo fighters.
Mendez though, does not bill that Dvalishvili is afraid of the UFC 311 title challenger; or anyone else. But he still is baffled at the switch-up when brass has pegged them clear for a shot. Come January 18th, both sides will try to prove once and for all who has the ultimate advantage.
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