Merab Dvalishvili is aware of Umar Nurmagomedov is a authentic menace 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 combat however he was simply disenchanted with Nurmagomedov’s perspective in the direction of the entire state of affairs, particularly with solely a single win over a prime ranked opponent on his resume.
“Umar is an efficient fighter, it’s a giant 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 desires to combat 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 primarily based extra on his final identify than his precise accomplishments contained in the octagon.
Nurmagomedov at present sports activities an ideal 18-0 document 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 a giant 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 not less than however he disrespects me. That’s [not] what actual males ought to do.”
Now that the combat is official for Jan. 18, Dvalishvili is placing his previous grievances with Nurmagomedov apart to get himself prepared for struggle like he’s carried out all through his profession.
He might not like Nurmagomedov all that a lot or how he received this title shot however Dvalishvili welcomes the possibility to conquer one other challenger and there’s even an added bonus connected to this matchup.
“It’s going to be a great combat, a troublesome combat,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “In fact, I’m going to search for the end however to win in opposition to a prime opponent after which change his zero to 1 loss, that can be good.
“I’m not combating anyone that’s a simple opponent. It’s Umar Nurmagomedov. A win in opposition to 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 is going to be good and I can be glad.”
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 need to give folks what they need and I need to give UFC what the UFC desires. I’m bored with listening to Umar’s disrespect.”
