Umar Nurmagomedov fires back at Merab Dvalishvili after UFC champion denies him title shot amid rumors of a potential injury
UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has claimed that 18-0 contender Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t deserve a chance to fight for the world title, despite him being the #2 ranked bantamweight in the world.
In fact, ‘The Machine’ has claimed that he’ll overlook the undefeated Russian in favor of rematching former champion Sean O’Malley next; those comments have not sat well with the 28-year-old Dagestani.
Merab Dvalishvili questions whether 18-0 Umar Nurmagomedov ‘deserves’ title shot
Speaking at a fan Q&A ahead of this weekend’s enormous PPV, Merab Dvalishvili found himself being goaded over the expected bantamweight title fight between him and 18-0 contender Umar Nurmagomedov.
“Let’s boo this guy… I’m not scared of no one – only God,” claimed Dvalishvili, before going from 0 to 100 in a second, bellowing over the boos that the undefeated Russian is “scared” to face The Machine.
“Where is this guy?! He is scared! He’s taking fights with somebody else, where is he?! Tell me, where is he?! He wants to get knocked out by somebody and then he wants to make excuses cause he’s not going to [make it to] this fight.
“Dana White and Hunter are making the decision as to who I am going to fight next, I don’t make that decision… If Dana White tells me to fight Umar, then I will fight Umar, but you know what? Umar doesn’t deserve to fight me!”
Dvalishvili, who captured UFC gold in dominant fashion only a few months ago, barked that he is going to rematch Sean O’Malley next and that Nurmagomedov must “prove himself” in the meantime.
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Umar Nurmagomedov fires back after claiming Song Yadong is out with injury
Last week, it was reported that the 18-0 Nurmagomedov was set to headline the upcoming UFC Tampa card on December 14 against fan-favorite striker Song Yadong.
Whilst those reports have since been proven false, Nurmagomedov has now come out to confirm that any chance of a December return is out the window after Song suffered an injury in training camp.
“I am always ready, and right now I am waiting for an opponent, as Yadong declined to fight in December — I was told he is injured,” he wrote on X, before taking aim at the Georgian cardio machine.
“Merab, before my fight with Sandhagen, you said that if I beat him, I would deserve recognition. Now you have changed your position — decide who you are…
“All the fans and analysts are noticing how you are avoiding the fight. Championship is recognition, but you haven’t received it, and you know that perfectly well.”
Luckily, there is still a chance that Nurmagomedov vs Song can be made for the New Year, with the Chinese athlete taking to Instagram to write, “Hey Umar, let’s fight on January 18th,” at UFC 311.
I am not waiting for anyone and
I want to fight before Ramadan.
I hope UFC finds an opponent. And the title, inshaAllah, is just a matter of time. pic.twitter.com/hasZPpDO2k— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) October 25, 2024
“I like it, if I will not be [fighting] for the title, it’s the best option,” replied Nurmagomedov.
The Russian will need to fight in January if he is to avoid an extended period on the sidelines, due to the fact that he’ll be observing Ramadan the following month.
The venue and location of UFC 311 have not yet been confirmed; however, the PPV card is expected to be headlined by the lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan.
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