Sean OโMalleyโs push toward becoming the UFCโs next big thing suffered a blow at the weekendโs UFC 306 PPV. โSugaโ coughed up the bantamweight gold to Merab Dvalishvili in a unanimous decision title loss. Dvalishviliโs post-fight disposition suggests he doesnโt want to fight next-in-line Umar Nurmagomedov. AKA coach Javier Mendez does not understand the sentiment at all.
Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) outpointed Sean OโMalley with dominant grappling en route to a five-round win. During his post-fight conference and octagon interview, Dvalishvili again veered to Deiveson Figueiredo as a more worthy challenger. Speaking to Denis Shkuratov, Javier Mendez has some logistical issues with that.
I donโt know what the hell to think…because how can you say the other person is more deserving when the ranking put Umar as No. 2? And they also promised Umar the fight or whoever the winner was going to be between Sandhagen and Umar that they would get the next title shot…Why Merab is trying to maybe avoid him โ I donโt know if he is or isnโt. I really donโt know. Itโs weird.
Javier Mendez to Denis Shkuratov for the โSubmission Radioโ Show for SBNation Netwrok (๐ฅ: @SubmissionRadio on YT)
Javier Mendez admits that he initially hoped Nurmagomedov would have fought the bigger star Sean OโMalley for the title. โSugaโ is a top draw with a fan following and a 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award recipient. The head coach also believes Umar Nurmagomedov wouldโve done more damage on the ground against OโMalley. Now, the wrestler-vs-wrestler allure is becoming a top point.
The UFC appears to have already decided who they want to be the first to challenge Dvalishvili. Undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was on the telecast after wrapping the belt around Dvalishvili. All indications are heโs next. However, โMachineโ seems to have his own choice. Mendez thinks that it comes off unchampion-like.
Javier Mendez pokes at Merab Dvalishvili to be โreal championโ
After the UFC on ABC 7ย main event, UFC CEOย Dana White billed Umar Nurmagomedov as next in line to earn gold. The Russian bantamweight outpointed Cory Sandhagen at the Etihad Arena in August. However, Merab Dvalishviliโs stance remained fixated on Figgy.
Nurmagomedov attended for the LV โSphereโ UFC 306 PPV. The fighter himself, and even AKA comrade Islam Makhachev have doubled down on choosing right when the Georgian allegedly didnโt. Dvalishvili argues that Figueiredo (24-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) is a former divisional champ. He also touts wins over Marlon โChitoโ Vera,ย Rob Font, andย Cody Garbrandt in the bantamweight division.
The Georgian champ also presents that, unlike Figgy, Nurmagomedov has a win over only one opponent ranked in top 15 Athlete rankings [#4 Sandhagen]. Javier Mendez gives his take on the champion mentality and the grind he teaches.
My fighters, …what I tell them is, when youโre the champion, you just get ready to fight whoever they put in front of you, you fight. If youโre not a real champion, then fine โ pick who you want to pick. But if youโre the real champion, you fight. The only thing you should be able to choose is the dates.
Javier Mendez further said to Denis Shkuratov for the โSubmission Radioโ Show
As for Nurmagomedov, Merab Dvalishvili suggested fighting Petr Yan (17-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) for a number one contender spot. He feels that just one win over a top contender isnโt enough. Yan snapped his three-fight losing skid at the UFC 299 PPV with a win over Song Yadong, the same card as Sean OโMalley.
Yan is gunning for the final numbered Pay-per-view year event, UFC 310ย at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Whether or not Umar is the fight to make is yet up in the air. There is a possibility he could end up facing Deiveson Figueiredo. In any case, the Dagestani bantamweight is ready.