Merab Dvalishvili is aware of Umar Nurmagomedov is a legit risk to his bantamweight title however that also doesn’t imply he needs to be combating for the belt at UFC 311.
As he prepares for his first title protection, Dvalishvili admitted that he had designs on probably operating it again with Petr Yan or Sean O’Malley earlier than the UFC made it clear that the undefeated Russian could be his subsequent opponent. Dvalishvili guarantees he by no means backed down from taking the battle however he was simply dissatisfied with Nurmagomedov’s perspective in the direction of the entire scenario, particularly with solely a single win over a high ranked opponent on his resume.
“Umar is an efficient fighter, it’s an enormous problem. However he don’t earn it like the remainder of us,” Dvailishvili informed the UFC in a brand new interview. “Everyone knows, all of us work laborious to get right here and I don’t get something straightforward however Umar one way or the other will get straightforward.
“He simply complains on a regular basis that no one needs to battle him however there are such a lot of good fighters, there may be [Mario] Bautista, there are different fighters which can be killers, [Montel] Jackson — he solely fought [Cory] Sandhagen [who has] no wrestling. I suppose he’s utilizing this excuse, he beat the No. 2 man and now we see.”
Dvalishvili has usually acknowledged that he believes Nurmagomedov is getting alternatives based mostly extra on his final identify than his precise accomplishments contained in the octagon.
Nurmagomedov presently sports activities an ideal 18-0 report general with six wins within the UFC however he didn’t face a litany of ranked opponents earlier than getting his title shot. That’s a stark distinction in comparison with Dvalishvili, who in the end went undefeated for 10 consecutive fights with wins over three former champions earlier than he was granted the identical alternative.
“It’s an enormous problem however the one factor I hate, he don’t earn it like how an actual UFC fighter ought to earn it,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “He’s simply cocky. He needs to be humble at the very least however he disrespects me. That’s [not] what actual males ought to do.”
Now that the battle is official for Jan. 18, Dvalishvili is placing his previous grievances with Nurmagomedov apart to get himself prepared for conflict like he’s achieved all through his profession.
He might not like Nurmagomedov all that a lot or how he acquired this title shot however Dvalishvili welcomes the prospect to conquer one other challenger and there’s even an added bonus hooked up to this matchup.
“It’s going to be an excellent battle, a tricky battle,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “In fact, I’m going to search for the end however to win towards a high opponent after which change his zero to at least one loss, that shall be good.
“I’m not combating any person that’s a straightforward opponent. It’s Umar Nurmagomedov. A win towards him [in any way], I’ll take it. It doesn’t matter however not a disqualification or one thing. So long as I win, it will likely be good and I shall be joyful.”
As a lot as Dvalishvili felt like there have been extra deserving opponents, he acknowledges the hype surrounding Nurmagomedov and he’s excited to snuff that out at UFC 311.
“I wish to take this problem, like I mentioned,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “I wish to give individuals what they need and I wish to give UFC what the UFC needs. I’m bored with listening to Umar’s disrespect.”
