Merab Dvalishvili ought to by no means be counted out.
Regardless of moving into his first title protection as a determined underdog, Dvalishvili weathered an early storm after which displayed the form of tempo and conditioning which have outlasted 12 consecutive opponents as he defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in a five-round prompt traditional. Ahead stress mixed with takedowns and well timed strikes allowed Dvalishvili to outwork Nurmagomedov and retain his title with the judges scoring the combat 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 as he earned the unanimous choice victory within the UFC 311 co-main occasion.
“You guys know. You recognize I’m coaching on a regular basis. I’m the machine,” Dvalishvili mentioned about his awe-inspiring conditioning. “I’ve a giant reduce on my leg, I’ve an an infection however I do know the UFC wanted me. The UFC gave me the whole lot. In the present day I used to be good however it’s a must to put together good, I had an an infection on my leg and my decrease again [was hurt]. Umar is a tricky fighter and he’s good however he referred to as me outdated. Sure, I’m outdated however I’m working on a regular basis.
“I’m a more durable employee. The entire world was towards me. However I don’t give a shit. I consider in my onerous work … I consider in myself.”
As soon as once more, Dvalishvili confirmed why he’s one of the best bantamweight on the planet even when Saturday night time nearly felt like a setup for Nurmagomedov to be topped king. When the combat received began, Nurmagomedov confirmed why he was a heavy favourite however Dvalishvili refused to again down or go away.
A short feeling out course of gave method to some super hanging exchanges within the early going with Dvalishvili uncharacteristically throwing with big energy behind his punches. Nurmagomedov met him at each alternate, exhibiting crisper hanging and welcoming the champion to commerce with him on the ft.
Whereas Dvalishvili linked with a few stiff punches, Nurmagomedov was constantly connecting with the stiffer photographs together with a staggering proper hand that blasted the Georgian within the chin simply earlier than the primary spherical ended. Nurmagomedov started dispensing extra of the identical in spherical two earlier than reversing a takedown try and taking Dvalishvili’s again on the bottom.
The grappling alternate ended rapidly with Dvalishvili working his means again to the ft however Nurmagomedov rapidly reset earlier than tossing out his lead jab that stored touchdown heading in the right direction.
The harm confirmed on Dvalishvili’s nostril as blood started pouring down his face. Dvalishvili started continually wiping away at his face and that fairly clearly let Nurmagomedov know he was doing good work together with his straight punches.
Within the third spherical, Dvalisvhili’s tempo began to pay dividends as he truly scored a few takedowns on Nurmagomedov whereas persevering with to achieve confidence in his arms. With an enormous smile on his face, Dvalishvili was irritating Nurmagomedov, who simply couldn’t mount as a lot offense because the combat was a wrestling match.
Dvalishvili continued pushing the tempo and pressuring Nurmagomedov and it was evident that the challenger’s conditioning was sporting skinny. Whereas Nurmagomedov by no means received caught on the bottom, Dvalishvili’s potential to maintain him on his again foot and make him react was actually paying dividends.
As time handed, Dvalishvili was surging and Nurmagomedov was visibly operating out of fuel. With that, Dvalishvili continued spamming takedown makes an attempt and even when he didn’t get Nurmagomedov down, he was making the Russian play protection and that solely wore on him that rather more.
With Nurmagomedov realizing that the tide had turned, he received somewhat extra aggressive on the ft however even that backfired with Dvalishvili clubbing him with a nasty proper hand after which adopted by one other takedown simply earlier than the horn sounded. Dvalishvili instantly climbed the cage in celebration whereas an exhausted Nurmagomedov was simply joyful to catch his breath.
After the outcome was revealed, Nurmagomedov truly argued that he thought he deserved the nod however he nonetheless needs to observe the combat again earlier than making any declarations.
“I believe first spherical I received, the others had been shut,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “I don’t assume I lose this combat. After the primary spherical, I can’t punch as a result of I believe I broke my hand and the video games go the opposite means.
“I would like to observe this video of my combat. I don’t assume I misplaced this combat. I’m not agreeing with the judges however I have to see all of the rounds. I knew he was a tricky man.”
No matter how he feels in regards to the choice, Nurmagomedov made an excellent account for himself in his first shot at UFC gold however in the end Dvalishvili confirmed off the championship mettle that’s going to make him extremely powerful for anybody to beat at 135 kilos.
