Tag: Umar Nurmagomedov

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili has looked to clear up the uncertainty surrounding the timeframe for his first title defense.

Dvalishvili reached the mountaintop at 135 pounds last month when he headlined UFC 306 inside the Sphere in competition for the belt, which was then held by striking specialist Sean O’Malley.

The Georgian standout made good on his prediction to dominate, securing a comfortable victory on the scorecards after five rounds of action at the Mexican Independence Day celebration.

But no sooner had the bantamweight gold been wrapped around his waist, talk turned to the first hurdle for Dvalishvili to overcome as kingpin. For most, that should be the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. “The Machine,” however, caused eyebrows to raise when he called O’Malley out for an immediate rematch.

Nurmagomedov has used that to accused Dvalishvili of seeking to avoid him, as well as claims that the champ is deliberately targeting a defense during the period in which he’ll be inactive to observe Ramadan in 2025.

During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Dvalishvili sought to clear up his stance.

The Georgian titleholder insisted that he has no issue meeting the challenge of Nurmagomedov and would be willing to in February.

“Yes, the UFC told me to fight (Nurmagomedov in December) and I said I would fight him in February or March,” Dvalishvili said. “That was it. Now, Umar take another fight, so I don’t know. But like I said, I don’t know anything else. (I won’t fight) in January because it’s a new year and it’s Georgian Christmas and I need the time. I said February and March is good for me, and I’ll go from there.

“Like I said, I want three fights in 2025. So, I’m ready. I have no problem (fighting Nurmagomedov next). Whoever the UFC offers me, I will fight. I never choose my opponents, and I’m going to continue the same,” Dvalishvili continued. “I’ve never had the option to say, ‘I’m going to fight him, or him.’ I was never like this in this situation before, and I don’t see why it’d be different now.”

But Nurmagomedov evidently isn’t buying it.

After Dvalishvili’s teammate, former champ Aljamain Sterling, took to social media to defend the Georgian’s willingness to return sooner if his opposition was Sean O’Malley, Nurmagomedov branded his remarks a “cheap excuse.”

• Read More: Umar Nurmagomedov Rips ‘Bum’ Sean O’Malley Over UFC 306 Performance

Continue Reading Merab Dvalishvili Clarifies UFC Return Timeline Amid Umar Nurmagomedov’s Complaints at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov has sent some advice the way of newly crowned champion Merab Dvalishvili.

Dvalishvili achieved his title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, closing out the UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view with a dominant display to dethrone Sean O’Malley.

With the result, the Georgian standout extended his winning run to 11, avenged teammate Aljamain Sterling’s loss to “Sugar” in 2023, and exited the cage with gold in his possession for the first time.

But according to the consensus next in line, Dvalishvili hasn’t adjusted well to life as champ…

Nurmagomedov Tells Dvalishvili He ‘Looks Bad’ After Comments About First Defense

During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Nurmagomedov provided an update on his hopes to compete for the title next time out and reacted to Dvalishvili’s attempts to dismiss him as a worthy contender.

In addition to naming Deiveson Figueiredo as a more deserving challenger pre-fight, Dvalishvili snubbed the opportunity to set up a clash with Nurmagomedov inside the Octagon at UFC 306. And in the weeks since, the Georgian has even pitched a rematch with O’Malley.

Nurmagomedov has frequently hit back at the champ’s remarks. According to the Russian, Dvalishvili needs to start acting like a divisional kingpin instead of shying away from a threat to his rule.

“Right now, he’s champion. Everybody is pushing. But he’s looking very bad when Joe Rogan or UFC ask him in some interviews about me and he go away and says he can’t talk (pretends to stutter),” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s looking very bad. He has to talk like a champion. He has to be a champion. He has to know he can beat everybody. Right now, you have belt, you are number one.”

It remains to be seen when Nurmagomedov will have the opportunity to cash in on his expected title shot.

Regardless, the Dagestani plans on competing prior to Ramadan in 2025, be it in competition for Dvalishvili’s bantamweight gold or against another top contender at 135 pounds.

• Read More: Ilia Topuria Gets Personal During Online Spat With Fellow UFC Champ Belal Muhammad

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Tells Merab Dvalishvili To Start ‘Talking Like A Champion’ at MMA News.