UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has proven once again that he is not to be messed with. The fighter put on a spectacular performance at UFC 311 where he faced Umar Nurmagomedov for his title defense.
The fighters have had a long beef leading up to the fight and both came into the octagon with calculated steps. Dvalishvili was careful with his punches, keeping his defenses up watching out for Nurmagomedov’s strikes. After some cautious steps, Dvalishvili went in for the kill with a few striking exchanges. He delivered some heavy punches but Nrumagomedov countered with accurate shots. The two continued their deadly exchange with Nurmagomedov landing more savage blows that nearly took Dvalishvili out.
The following rounds looked like Dvalishvili was going to succumb as Nurmagomedov rained down savage blows and reversed a takedown. Dvalishvili recovered quickly and was soon back on his feet but his opponent did not let up. Nurmagomedov kept landing precise shots that left the champ’s nose bleeding.
The champ’s defensive pace soon paid off as he scored a couple of takedowns. He kept up with this tactic, driving Nurmagoedov towards the fence and making him react. Nurmagomedov soon began to tire out but Dvalishvili was just getting started as he began attempting takedowns and putting his challenger on a backfoot. Dvalishivili continued with his punishing blows and pace before landing a deadly right that almost took out Nurmagoemdov before the fight came to a close leaving Dvalishvili the winner via unanimous decision.
“You guys know. You know I’m training all the time. I am the machine,” Dvalishvili said about his awe-inspiring conditioning. “I have a big cut on my leg, I have an infection but I know the UFC needed me. The UFC gave me everything. Today I was good but you have to prepare good, I had an infection on my leg and my lower back [was hurt]. Umar is a tough fighter and he’s good but he called me old. Yes, I’m old but I’m working everyday.
“I’m a harder worker. The whole world was against me. But I don’t give a shit. I believe in my hard work … I believe in myself.”
Nurmagomedov on the other hand believes he deserved to win the fight. He says he’ll have to replay the tape but he applauds his opponent for his resilience.
“ I think first round I won, the others were close,” Nurmagomedov said. “I don’t think I lose this fight. After the first round, I can’t punch because I think I broke my hand and the games go the other way.
“I need to watch this video of my fight. I don’t think I lost this fight. I’m not agreeing with the judges but I need to see all the rounds. I knew he was a tough guy.”
Although the champ is happy with his decision, he says Nurmagomedovs injury excuse may be a hoax as he reveals he has suffered more during the months leading to the fight.
“I broke my back in training camp and it was some days I cannot get up from the bed,” Dvalishvili said. “I was laid down and I don’t have a training camp and I don’t have a Khabib Nurmagomedov to help me to train. Some days the P.I. was closed. It was Christmas and it was New Year’s and weekends and it happened a couple of times Umar was there and the security goes, ‘I’m sorry. We cannot let you go in.’
“I’m not making this excuse. You’re a f*cking fighter and you’ve got to find a way to win. It might happen, maybe, I don’t know, but after he disrespected me, he said so many bullshit things. I don’t know, as a fighter I respect him. God bless him, I wish him all the best, but it’s a fight, but guess what? Who broke his hand?”
Dvalishvili says he has had minor injuries during his training camp and had a cut on his leg that caused him pain throughout the UFC 311 match.
“In November, I got big cuts on my leg,” Dvalishvili said. “This just healed up Wednesday and closed, finally. It was big cuts, it was taking so long to heal up, and then it gets infected, and then every time somebody touch me and I was doing wrestling or kicking, it was so painful. That was a challenge for this training camp.”
“Then I had this fight and I’m laid down in my bed, I’m depressed, I cannot go gym,” he continued. “Umar Nurmagomedov is talking trash, ‘Merab will pull out. I won’t be surprised if Merab pull out.’ I’m like, ‘No! I’m not going to pull out.’ I never pull out.”
The champ’s win has pretty much solidified his position as a tough opponent for now, it is uncertain who the fighter will face next. Notwithstanding, Davlishvili will be taking time off to rest and enjoy his victory till he is called back by the bout makers.
“I want to fight the best guys in the division, like I always do,” Dvalishvili said. “That’s what excites me, the next best challenge. But I think I beat everybody in this division, but we’ll see whoever is the next best challenge. I think also [Sean] O’Malley, he was complaining about something and he really has a chance. We know he can really knock people out if he lands on you, he has a big chance. I see him as a challenge, too. Maybe he will make some changes this time and maybe we go toe-to-toe this time and it’s going to be a good fight, I think.
“But I’m a champion now, they have to call me out, and I’m ready to come back quick as soon as the UFC wants me to come back.”
Nurmagomedov on the other hand has made a good impression at his first title shot and may get another opportunity.
