Merab Dvalishvili Stands Firm: Demands Respect Amid Tensions with Umar Nurmagomedov
Merab Dvalishvili, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion, is demanding respect as he prepares to defend his title against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. The highly anticipated bout, set for January 18 in Los Angeles, has been overshadowed by rising tensions and public spats between the two fighters, culminating in heated exchanges during the event’s kickoff press conference.
Dvalishvili, known as “The Machine,” expressed frustration over Nurmagomedov’s remarks, which he views as disrespectful. Nurmagomedov, boasting an 18-0 record, has publicly suggested that Dvalishvili was hesitant to accept the fight, prompting a war of words that has escalated in recent weeks.
“I’m a man first,” Dvalishvili stated during an interview on Uncrowned’s The Ariel Helwani Show. “If you come to my face and disrespect me, you’re going to get slapped. I don’t care about the belt, the money, or the legacy — I live by respect. If I have to go to jail for standing up for myself, so be it.”
The Georgian champion emphasized that his frustration extends beyond typical pre-fight trash talk. He accused Nurmagomedov of being two-faced, referencing comments made both online and during their face-to-face interactions. According to Dvalishvili, Nurmagomedov admitted to disrespecting him deliberately but later denied any wrongdoing during a press conference.
“When I confronted him, he said, ‘Because I wanted to. What are you going to do about it?’” Dvalishvili recounted. “Then, 20 minutes later, he lied in the press conference, claiming he never disrespected me, my country, or my nation. He’s a liar, and he’ll get what’s coming to him.”
Despite Nurmagomedov issuing an apology on Twitter, Dvalishvili remains skeptical, calling the challenger’s behavior insincere. The champion’s grievances are not limited to their personal feud; he has also been involved in recent altercations outside the Octagon.
Altercations Outside the Cage
At UFC 310, Dvalishvili found himself in a heated incident with a crowd member. Footage from the event showed security restraining the champion as tensions flared. The altercation reportedly began after Dvalishvili’s teammate, Aljamain Sterling, suffered a loss to Movsar Evloev.
According to Dvalishvili, the individual in question cursed at him and his family in Russian and physically grabbed him while he was leaving the arena. “I wanted to punch his face, but security held me back,” Dvalishvili said. “My friend stepped in and slapped him instead.”
Dvalishvili later accused Nurmagomedov of indirectly supporting the provocation, noting that the antagonist had taken photos with Nurmagomedov and his associates, including Islam Makhachev.
“Umar was proud and supported this guy,” Dvalishvili remarked. “If anyone I knew tried to provoke or fight with Umar, I would never condone it. I would tell them it’s not their business to mess with a professional fighter. But Umar supported this behavior, which shows his true character.”
A Clash of Styles and Personalities
Dvalishvili, 33, has built an impressive record, with 11 consecutive UFC wins in the bantamweight division. However, the psychological warfare surrounding UFC 311 has tested his composure outside the cage.
As the champion, Dvalishvili aims to channel his frustrations into a decisive performance on fight night. Despite the tensions, he remains focused on proving his dominance and settling the score with Nurmagomedov.
“This fight isn’t just about the belt,” Dvalishvili said. “It’s about respect. I’ll show him what happens when you disrespect me, my country, and my values.”
UFC 311 promises to be a battle not only of skill but also of personal resolve, with both fighters bringing their unique intensity to the Octagon. For Dvalishvili, the stakes go beyond championship gold, as he seeks to defend his title and his honor against a challenger who has pushed all the wrong buttons.
