UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is gearing up for his first title defense and doesn’t feel Umar Nurmagomedov is a worthy opponent.
In October, Umar Nurmagomedov took to social media to broadcast his readiness to battle any fighter. The fighter made this quote after his win and especially called out Dvalishvili as his next opponent.
“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. 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,” Nurmagomedov said to Dvalishvili.
The champ believes the fighter hasn’t earned his shot like everybody else and made his displeasure known in a video he posted on social media.
“We have Merab, the current champion. He has an 11-fight win streak,” Dvalishvili said. “He has beaten four ranked and still active former champions… We have former champion Petr Yan, who has beaten top-ranked opponents. Deiveson Figueiredo, Song Yadong, I can even give him Sean O’Malley, Cory Sandhagen and ‘King of Rio’ Jose Aldo. Last and certainly least, we have Umar. He has beat who? Who? Who? And who? No one but gifted Sandhagen.
“Also, reminder guys, I was backup fighter for O’Malley vs. Vera, and when UFC asked Umar to be (the) backup fighter for me and O’Malley, he said no. I mean, this guy wants title shots served to his bed like breakfast,” Dvalishvili said. “Biggest lesson here: Umar, get to work. You’re not my level. Earn your title shot like the rest of us, whose last names don’t get gifts. Class dismissed.”
Despite his taunt, Dvalishvili has no bad blood against Nurmagomedov. He simply believes the fighter needs to integrate himself more and win more before vying for a title shot.
