Merab Dvalishvili actually doesn’t need to battle Umar Nurmagomedov.
From the second the UFC bantamweight title was wrapped round his waist in September, Dvalishvili has been very vocal about his disdain for the undefeated Dagestani standout and his lack of wins in opposition to ranked opponents.
Regardless, Nurmagomedov may have a chance to assert his first world title when he challenges ‘The Machine’ at UFC 311 on January 18.
Nurmagomedov, 18-0, earned his spot with a dominant determination win over Cory Sandhagen in August that skyrocketed him from the underside of the highest 15 to the No. 2 spot.
Whereas it was undoubtedly the largest win of Nurmagomedov’s profession so far, it wasn’t sufficient to persuade Dvalishvili that he was worthy of a shot on the 135-pound crown.
“Umar is an efficient fighter. It’s an enormous problem, however he don’t earn it like the remainder of us,” Dvalishvili advised ESPN. “Everyone knows we work onerous to get right here, I don’t get something straightforward, however in some way will get straightforward. He simply complains on a regular basis that no person desires to battle him, however there are such a lot of good fighters. There’s (Mario) Bautista, there are different fighters which might be killers.
“However yeah, he fought solely (Cory) Sandhagen (with) no wrestling, and he’s utilizing that excuse that he beat the No. 2 man, and now he’s right here. It’s an enormous problem, however the one factor I hate is that he don’t earn it how UFC fighters ought to earn it, and he’s simply cocky. He needs to be humble no less than, and he simply disrespects me and mendacity, and that’s not what actual males ought to do. That’s it.”
Merab Dvalishvili is aware of he’s in for a troublesome take a look at in opposition to Umar Nurmagomedov
Dvalishvili might not approve of the trail Nurmagomedov has taken, however he can’t deny that the Dagestani is a extremely expert opponent who presents a troublesome problem.
“The battle shall be actually powerful and it is a huge, huge problem for me as a result of it’s a brand new face and yeah, he’s a superb fighter,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “He’s good at kicking, putting, wrestling, and it’s a brand new problem.”
It is going to be Dvalishvili’s first time defending the bantamweight title since taking it off ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September.
