Merab Dvalishvili had a few causes that he wished to delay his first title protection till March however a lingering harm topped that checklist.
After defeating Sean O’Malley to grow to be UFC champion this previous September, the Georgian born bantamweight instantly turned his focus to 2025 with all indicators pointing in the direction of a showdown with Umar Nurmagomedov. Sadly Nurmagomedov wished to battle before later as he prepares to look at the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which fits from Feb. 28 by means of Mar. 29 the place he’s required to quick from daybreak to sundown on a regular basis.
Ultimately, Dvalishvili ultimately agreed to face Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on Saturday however he is aware of it’s not occurring underneath very best circumstances.
“I wished to get pleasure from it and I used to be in Vegas as a result of [Aljamain Sterling] was combating Movsar Evloev and coaching and I used to be at all times coping with some accidents,” Dvalishvili revealed throughout UFC 311 media day on Wednesday.
“However as soon as I hear the UFC wants me, I stepped up and Dana [White] stated sure. I am going to the workplace and I stated OK, I’ll step up. I’m an organization man. Let’s do it.”
Dvalishvili didn’t wish to disclose the character of the harm that was plaguing him however he promised to supply particulars after his battle on Saturday.
Whereas he guarantees that the harm received’t have an effect on his efficiency, Dvalishvili admits he did wrestle at occasions by means of his coaching camp to prepare for Nurmagomedov.
“Not [the] battle. It was affecting my coaching,” Dvalishvili stated. “I’ll put up it after the battle however coaching was troublesome due to this harm. However I’m good, I’m prepared now. It’s all good.”
With regards to the battle, Dvalishvili is anxious to lastly put Nurmagomedov behind him after a contentious buildup has led to an unexpectedly intense rivalry.
Time and time once more, Dvalishvili has said that he didn’t imagine Nurmagomedov deserved the title shot with solely a single win over a fighter ranked within the prime 10 on the earth, to not point out a resume within the UFC that solely sits at 6-0 general.
In the meantime, Dvalishvili needed to go on an unprecedented 10 battle win streak together with victories over three former UFC champions earlier than he was granted that very same alternative.
Add to that, Dvalishvili appears like Nurmagomedov has been disingenuous with the way in which he’s introduced himself within the leadup to the battle, which is why he’s always touting how the 29-year-old Dagestani has disrespected him a lot.
“Each time I see him, I give him my respect,” Dvalishvili stated. “I used to be cool with him. I do know him as an individual. This isn’t social media. This isn’t a online game one thing the place you’re speaking trash. We’re actual individuals. To get disrespected by Umar, I used to be mad and once I met him in individual I requested him ‘why you disrespect me on Twitter?’ [He said] ‘as a result of I wished to, what are you going to do about it?’ You then guys seen half-hour later he stated ‘I by no means disrespected you, I by no means disrespected your nation.’
“That’s why I used to be so mad. That’s why I wished to kill this man as a result of I’m an actual man. I’m not going to disregard this.”
As indignant as Nurmagomedov has made him previous to the battle, Dvalishvili guarantees that he’s not holding onto some type of bitter hatred for his opponent nor does he want that as motivation to win.
Dvalishvili received’t again down from his criticism aimed toward Nurmagomedov however he’s not seething with animosity to assist him keep prepared for this matchup.
“I don’t must hate no person,” Dvalishvili stated. “You guys know I used to be kissing Sean O’Malley. I had a lot enjoyable contained in the octagon. I used to be smiling there. I must hate no person. I don’t hate no person.
“However it was issues that Umar disrespected me. He known as me a faux champion. I’m not a faux champion. He introduced up one thing disrespectful expression, he stated it’s a Georgian expression, it’s not a Georgian expression. He talked about my nation after which he’s nonetheless persevering with to disrespect me. This isn’t proper.”