Merab Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wooden, thinks issues would go even worse for Umar Nurmagomedov in a possible rematch.
After handily defeating Sean O’Malley to say the bantamweight crown final 12 months, Dvalishvili’s first protection got here in opposition to Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January. Regardless of going into the bout as a sizeable 3-to-1 favourite on some sportsbooks, the Dagestani got here up quick on all three scorecards, struggling the primary lack of his profession.
With Dvalishvili cruising previous Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, talks of a possible rematch between Nurmagomedov and ‘The Machine’ are popping up. However if you happen to ask Wooden, that will solely finish in catastrophe for Khabib’s cousin.
“I believe he finishes Umar. I believe he destroys Umar,” Wooden informed Submission Radio. “It’s approach worse for Umar. Folks attempt to make excuses for no matter Umar’s camp had occurring. That was the worst Merab that you just’ve ever seen. That was probably the most unhealthy, sick, injured Merab that you’ll ever see take a short-notice battle: hand, again, rib, shins, shins, staph an infection.
“Every part you could possibly presumably undergo, and he nonetheless went on the market and dealt with it similar to that. And that’s one that you just don’t wish to have indignant Merab in your ass – and he’s not an enormous fan of among the stuff that they are saying, among the stuff he does. I believe that goes in a way more violent style, and I believe there’s a end that will most likely be popping out of that battle.”
A sequel scrap between Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili doubtless isn’t on any MMA fan’s wishlist. Nonetheless, the bantamweight division is sorely missing contenders regardless of being one of the vital talent-rich weight courses within the UFC, placing a rematch nicely inside the realm of risk.
But when Dvalishvili will get his want, maybe his subsequent take a look at will come in opposition to former 135-pound champion Petr Yan.
