The bantamweight title will probably be up for grabs within the UFC 311 co-main occasion on Jan. 18 in Inglewood, Calif. when champion Merab Dvalishvili faces undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili acknowledges that Nurmagomedov is an enormous problem however does not assume Russian has earned the title shot.
“Umar is an effective fighter. It is a large problem, however he do not earn it like the remainder of us,” Dvalishvili mentioned on the UFC YouTube channel. “Everyone knows we labored arduous to get right here. I do not get something straightforward, however Umar somebody will get straightforward. He simply complains on a regular basis, no person desires to struggle him. However there are such a lot of good fighters.”
“He fought solely [Corey] Sandhagen, no wrestling. I suppose he is utilizing that is excuse, he beat the No. 2 man. Now, he is right here,” Dvalishvili continued. “He simply do not earn it like how actual UFC fighters ought to earn it. He is simply cocky.”
Merab Dvalishvili hopes to complete Umar Nurmagomedov
Dvalishvili will take a win over Nurmagomedov nevertheless it comes, however motivated by Nurmagomedov’s ‘disrespect,’ he’d like to complete the challenger.
“The struggle will probably be actually robust. This can be a large, large problem for me as a result of it is a new, new face and he is a superb fighter,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “He has good kicking, good putting, good wrestling and it is a new, new problem.”
“I need to give individuals what they need and I need to give the UFC what the UFC desires. And I am uninterested in listening to Umar’s disrespect,” Dvalishvili continued.
“It is going to be a troublesome struggle, good struggle. After all I’ll be on the lookout for a end. To win towards a high opponent and alter his zero to 1 loss, that might be good,” he mentioned. “I am not combating any individual like a simple opponent. It is going to be Umar Nurmagomedov and a win towards him, I will take it. It does not matter.”
