Merab Dvalishvili Gets Support From UFC Veteran For Latest Fan Altercation: ‘Don’t F*ck With Pro Fighters!’

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has been involved in several altercations with fans in recent times. The latest instance came this past weekend at UFC 310 where a video showed him being separated away from a member of the crowd when he was walking to the back with his teammate, Aljamain Sterling. Dvalishvili has since […]

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has been involved in several altercations with fans in recent times. The latest instance came this past weekend at UFC 310 where a video showed him being separated away from a member of the crowd when he was walking to the back with his teammate, Aljamain Sterling.

Dvalishvili has since shared a video on social media which suggests that the fan was a friend of Umar Nurmagomedov, who he will face at UFC 311 in his first title defense. This additional footage shows how the person grabbed him which kicked off the series of events that led to UFC fighter Dennis Buzukja trading punches with the man.

Buzukja later explained that the fan had also been trying to antagonize the 135-pound titleholder on their way to the Octagon for Sterling’s contest against Movsar Evloev. One former member of the roster is able to specifically relate to this kind of situation given his own interactions with fans in the past.

During the walk out for his fight against Demian Maia in Brazil back in 2016, Matt Brown was grabbed and hit by several people in the audience which led to him hitting back.

In a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s Fighter vs. Writer, Brown reflected on this experience and stood by Dvalishvili for his response to being provoked.

“I still say these fans, keep to your f*cking self, bro. You don’t f*ck with professional fighters. Most of us are martial artists that are respectful and stuff, but we’re also human beings and we’ll rip your f*cking throat out. Don’t f*ck with us. It’s stupid.

“You can’t grab a professional. Someone touches me, I’m f*cking them up.”

Brown also said that in the aftermath of his incident in Brazil, he wasn’t penalized for the altercation and the UFC looked to make changes to stop this kind of thing from happening.

“I remember Dana [White] changed things after that,” Brown said. “I don’t know what exactly the changes were but basically talking about separating the fans a little bit more, particularly in Brazil, maybe having a little bit better security when guys are walking out. I was right there in touching range, and they were hitting me and pulling my hat off.

“I’m not just going to sit here and take this, plus I’m completely fired up ready to walk into a fight. You get hit, it’s a natural reaction — you hit someone back.”

Is Merab Dvalishvili Too Emotional for His UFC 311 Clash with Umar Nurmagomedov? MMA Insider Weighs In

Is Merab Dvalishvili Too Emotional for His UFC 311 Clash with Umar Nurmagomedov? MMA Insider Weighs InIs Merab Dvalishvili carrying too much emotion into his upcoming clash against Umar Nurmagomedov? In September, Dvalishvili delivered a…

Is Merab Dvalishvili Too Emotional for His UFC 311 Clash with Umar Nurmagomedov? MMA Insider Weighs In

Is Merab Dvalishvili carrying too much emotion into his upcoming clash against Umar Nurmagomedov?

In September, Dvalishvili delivered a dominant performance against ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 to claim the coveted bantamweight belt. Now, ‘The Machine’ has his first defense lined up and it’ll come against none other than undefeated Dagestani sensation Umar Nurmagomedov — the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer and former lightweight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov.

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In Las Vegas for Saturday’s final pay-per-view event of the year, Dvalishvili had to be separated from Nurmagomedov backstage after getting into a heated confrontation ahead of the UFC 311 on-sale press conference.

Later that night, Dvalishvili got into an altercation with a man he claims is a member of Nurmagomedov’s team. The incident occurred shortly after he cornered Aljamain Sterling for his fight against Movsar Evloev at UFC 310.

Helwani flabbergasted by Merab Dvalishvili’s actions over the weekend

Commenting on Dvalishvili’s actions over the weekend, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani suggested that ‘The Machine’ may be toting around a little too much emotion going into his first fight as the 135-pound king.

“All fired up. I have to wonder, and we’ll talk to him about this: is he too fired up? Is he too emotional? Very clear, he didn’t want to come back in December, he didn’t want to maybe come back in January,” Helwani said during a recent episode of his show. “Maybe he doesn’t think that Umar deserves the fight. You rarely see him that emotional in front of, you know, the public, if you will.

“You see him getting into altercations and whatnot, but not at press conferences and whatnot. He is quite fired up in that moment. That is going to be an amazing scene in Los Angeles.”

Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov will co-main event UFC 311 on January 18 with the evening’s headliner featuring the return of lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev. The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ puts his gold up for grabs against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch more than five years in the making.

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Merab Dvalishvili Threatens Dagestan Visit To ‘Slap’ Umar Nurmagomedov: ‘If He Doesn’t Apologize…’

The tension between UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov shows no sign of decreasing ahead of their upcoming title fight. Dvalishvili recently had his first defense since capturing the 135-pound crown at the expense of Sean O’Malley added to the calendar. Four months on from his triumph inside the Sphere, the Georgian will […]

The tension between UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov shows no sign of decreasing ahead of their upcoming title fight.

Dvalishvili recently had his first defense since capturing the 135-pound crown at the expense of Sean O’Malley added to the calendar. Four months on from his triumph inside the Sphere, the Georgian will head to Los Angeles to do battle with an undefeated contender.

“The Machine” is set to co-headline next month’s year-opening UFC 311 pay-per-view opposite Nurmagomedov, who has gotten his wish to compete for the gold despite the champ previously dismissing his worthiness when it came to a championship opportunity.

Dvalishvili’s repeated attempts to pitch alternative fights drew plenty of backlash from the Dagestani online, and it would appear that the remarks have not been forgotten

That much was evident when the pair almost came to blows backstage at last week’s UFC 311 press conference in Las Vegas before trading verbal barbs on stage.

And during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Dvalishvili further addressed his growing disdain for his challenger. He stated that Nurmagomedov needs to say sorry for what he perceived as disrespect or he would be getting “slapped,” even if it means the Georgian heading to Dagestan or facing consequences such as prison.

“If you come to my face and if you disrespect me, you’re going to get slapped,” Dvalishvili said. “Don’t try that because I’m a man and I will never forgive you, even if I have to go to jail. I don’t care, man. I have so much to lose. I don’t care [about] this belt, I don’t care [about] this money, I don’t care [about] this legacy. I’m a man, I live in a respectful way, and that’s all I believe.

“Especially now I’m a U S. citizen, I can f***ing fight, beat the s*** out of these motherf***ers and I have no problem to pay the bill, ticket, or go to jail. Because I don’t care. Don’t disrespect me,” Dvalishvili continued. “He may get a slap after the fight. … The fight in the Octagon is not a real fight, it’s a sport. Yeah, [the fight will continue] if Umar does not apologize. … It’s going to happen, even if I have to go in Dagestan, I will go.”

It remains to be seen whether Dvalishvili will deliver on that threat, but the Georgian’s frequent altercations with fans at events — the most recent of which happened just this past weekend at UFC 310 — suggests “The Machine” won’t hold bak outside of the cage if he feels disrespected.

Regardless, it’s safe to say that the build-up toward their collision at the Intuit Dome on Jan. 18 will continue to be a heated one.

Aljamain Sterling’s Teammate On Trading Punches With Fan Who Antagonized Dvalishvili At UFC 310: ‘Hopefully No Charges Pressed…’

On his The Weekly Scraps Podcast, Aljamain Sterling looked to recap his recent fight at UFC 310 this past weekend. In his second fight at featherweight, the former bantamweight champion lost a close decision to Movsar Evloev who now occupies the #4-ranking at 145-pounds. Though his prelim bout with the undefeated Russian certainly delivered, there […]

On his The Weekly Scraps Podcast, Aljamain Sterling looked to recap his recent fight at UFC 310 this past weekend. In his second fight at featherweight, the former bantamweight champion lost a close decision to Movsar Evloev who now occupies the #4-ranking at 145-pounds.

Though his prelim bout with the undefeated Russian certainly delivered, there was another major talking point regarding Sterling’s team. His long-time training partner and coach, the bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, got into a heated exchange with a member of the audience inside the T-Mobile Arena.

A video posted on social media shows that as they were walking to the back after the fight, Dvalishvili had to be separated from this fan only for their other teammate and cornerman, Dennis Buzukja, to trade punches with him before security could break it up. Dvalishvili has since shared a video that claims that the fan is actually a close friend of the likes of Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, who the champion faces at UFC 311 in January.

Buzukja, who last fought in the UFC this past August, detailed his side of the story during the podcast.

“I don’t know if he had touched Merab as we were walking in, but somehow he got Merab’s attention and then Merab went and tapped his shoulder and just gave him the finger and then the guy gave him the finger back or whatever, he got all jumpy.

“Then as the fight finished and we’re walking back on the other side, this f****** guy comes across the whole crowd and then goes and, you’ve seen the video, he grabs Merab’s arm and then says something to him in, I guess Russian or whatever he said, and Merab started going crazy. Then we got into a little physical altercation, but that was really it. So hopefully no charges pressed and we move on.”

Buzukja went on to say that he had first got involved in the confrontation to dry and diffuse the situation but that quickly changed once he was assaulted.

“I went and approached him and I just put his hand down, I was trying to deescalate and tell him, ‘Yo, calm down, bro. Relax.’ Merab was going away, I just wanted to tell him to relax, have some respect. Then he cracked me first, actually, he cracked me with a nice little left hook and then it was just instinct to hit him back. Then security came in, but part of me is like, ‘Should I just drop the bucket and just jump over and start swinging?’ Just go full, f****** degenerate, but I’m glad it didn’t happen that way.”

Merab Dvalishvili Gives His Side Of Fan Altercation At UFC 310: ‘Deliberate Provocation From Umar’s Team!’

At UFC 310, Merab Dvalishvili appeared to get into a heated confrontation with a fan in the audience whilst he was walking out with his teammate, Aljamain Sterling. The video posted on social media sees the UFC bantamweight champion getting pulled away by security as another member of the corner traded punches with the fan. […]

At UFC 310, Merab Dvalishvili appeared to get into a heated confrontation with a fan in the audience whilst he was walking out with his teammate, Aljamain Sterling. The video posted on social media sees the UFC bantamweight champion getting pulled away by security as another member of the corner traded punches with the fan.

Dana White said in his post-fight press conference that he tried his best to keep Dvalishvili separate from Umar Nurmagomedov and his team but he can’t help “The Machine” fighting with fans. In a recent post on his X account, the champion looked to give his account of what happened.

Dvalishvili shared a video of the encounter with a voiceover that claims that the fan wasn’t just a regular ticket buyer who insulted him but is in fact a friend of the likes of Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. The video shows what started the whole thing with the fan tapping Merab as he walks past him, talking to him whilst recording on his phone.

The video also shows several Instagram posts from Nurmagomedov, who will face Dvalishvili for the 135-pound title at UFC 311, from later that day of him and Makhachev being with and seemingly eating dinner with the fan. The same clip also shows older photos of the “fan” alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov and the rest of the team, disputing the idea that Merab got into it with a member of the public who claims that Dvalishvili said something disrespectful about Shavkat Rakhmonov.

The Georgian has had several encounters with fans who provoked him in the past and at the press conference for the UFC’s upcoming PPV card in January, it was clear that the champion felt disrespected by Nurmagomedov and his team.

“More lies, disrespect, and deliberate provocations from Umar’s team. Here’s the real story …”

What’s Next After UFC 310? Full Confirmed UFC 311 Main Card For Los Angeles On Jan. 18

UFC 310 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 311 in Los Angeles. The promotion was in Las Vegas this past week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “Sin City.” Of note were […]

UFC 310 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 311 in Los Angeles.

The promotion was in Las Vegas this past week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “Sin City.” Of note were headline wins for Alexandre Pantoja and Shavkat Rakhmonov, as well as important victories for Bryce Mitchell, Dominick Reyes, and Movsar Evloev.

While the aftermath of the Dec. 7 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the flyweight title picture to the lightweight championship conversation.

At UFC 311, set for the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, reigning kingpin Islam Makhachev will open his account for the new year, once again in defense of his 155-pound gold. After following his crowning against Charles Oliveira with retentions opposite Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier, the Dagestani will next run it back with top contender Arman Tsarukyan.

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili looks to defend his gold for the first time since winning it at the expense of Sean O’Malley. In his way of a continued reign will be the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Procházka, Moicano, de Ridder, Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 311

Before Makhachev and Dvalishvili defend their belts, a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 311 card.

That includes a pair of former light heavyweight champions in Ji?í Procházka and Jamahal Hill. After falling to the renowned power of reigning kingpin Alex Pereira this year, both will be looking to bounce back and reinsert themselves into the title picture at 205 pounds.

Prior to that, an important lightweight clash goes down. Fresh off a 3-0 run in 2024 and main event triumph over Benoît Saint Denis in Paris, Renato Moicano gets the chance to further climb the 155-pound ladder against veteran contender Beneil Dariush, who hasn’t competed since a knockout to Tsarukyan in December 2023.

And opening the UFC 311 main card will be promotional newcomer Reinier de Ridder. The former two-division ONE championship titleholder debuted this past November in a grueling clash with Gerald Meerschaert at the Apex. If he’s to move to 2-0 in the Octagon, the Dutchman must add to the woes of Kevin Holland, who most recently fell to an injury TKO loss opposite Roman Dolidze.

Those pairings have currently gotten the nod to feature on the main card over ranked light heavyweights Johnny Walker and Bogdan Guskov, as well as a top 10 heavyweight bout between Jailton Almeida and Serghei Spivac.

See below for the full UFC 311 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Islam Makhachev (C) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (lightweight championship)
  • Merab Dvalishvili (C) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (bantamweight championship)
  • Ji?í Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill (light heavyweight)
  • Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano (lightweight)
  • Reinier de Ridder vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)

Preliminary Card:

  • Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov (light heavyweight)
  • Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos (bantamweight)
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac (heavyweight)
  • Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas (middleweight)

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira (lightweight)
  • Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez (women’s bantamweight)
  • Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafarov (bantamweight)
  • Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj (bantamweight)
  • Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clay Carpenter (flyweight)
Jiri Prochazka
Image: Zuffa LLC/UFC