In Stake’s unique interview with Merab Dvalishvili forward of his struggle with Umar Nurmagomedov, the present UFC Bantamweight Champion has addressed the speak about accidents whereas revealing he doesn’t consider what his foe has been saying about his earlier than addressing the perceived bitterness between the 2.
The pair have shaped a feud through the years, with each discovering the opposite tough to cope with. Nonetheless, that has solely helped to construct the joy that many have when the struggle takes at UFC 311. Many have recognized the competition between the pair as a possible UFC betting alternative, as there might be quite a bit to think about exterior regular struggle parameters. As an example, the pair could take the anger they seem to have towards one another into the Octagon, which might make for a sloppy struggle that might current challenges.
Certainly, it’s completely attainable to anticipate each males to stay as skilled as anticipated. Dvalishvili is the present champion, having managed to compile a document that reads 18-4 forward of the bout for the UFC Bantamweight Championship title. He has been in a position to stand his personal in terms of his fights, going the space within the overwhelming majority of them. His 4 defeats have come largely by means of resolution (three), with one different by submission. His victories have largely come from the identical end result, together with the wins in his final 4 consecutive fights, which included the controversial victory over Sean O’Malley for the title at UFC 306. Nonetheless, he’s the #1 ranked fighter at this weight class, which is why it’s proper to anticipate knowledgeable struggle.
For Umar Nurmagomedov, he does signify a menace. The cousin of the legendary Khabib is undefeated in his 18 fights up to now, preserving the household identify going as a dominant drive within the UFC. On the similar time, he has usually wanted to go the space to document the win, with half of his victories coming by means of resolution. He’s barely favored to come back out on high on this upcoming contest, given his undefeated repute, though it gained’t be straightforward.
Damage Scandals? Dvalishvili Has Had Sufficient Of Accusations
Within the interview with Stake, Dvalishvili revealed that he isn’t a fan of his upcoming opponent, particularly as he retains speaking about accidents forward of the bout. He argued that Nurmagomedov continues to speak about accidents as a method of an excuse, suggesting that he already has his competitor beat and is operating scared.
When requested about his personal damage, he stated: Yeah I’m good now. I’ll put up the damage or no matter after the struggle, however earlier than I don’t need to present and make individuals panic. The damage was critical, it was not a joke. I’ve taken a struggle on. Coaching was critical and I used to be coping with a number of knocks, however thank God now I’m okay and able to go!” He had admitted that the damage had stopped him from coaching, however acknowledged that it wouldn’t be an excuse if he have been to lose the struggle as he’s “able to go”.
He additionally famous how he had initially wished to struggle in February or March however would “step up” and struggle Nurmagomedov in January after his opponent accused him of making an attempt to dodge the struggle and delay it as a result of these months wouldn’t go well with him. Now, with no backup fighter scheduled for the struggle ought to both of them have to drag out at this late stage, Dvalishvili has recommended that Umar is making excuses forward of the bout.
Dvalishvili stated: “After all he’s making excuses, as you guys noticed he was coaching with Henry Cejudo like he was holding gloves to Henry and was punching, after which I noticed he was sparring with powerful guys and I’ve heard him say that he was completely effective and that he had little damage a few months in the past…it’s simply him making excuses..”
He additionally went on to handle the need Umar has to obtain proof of the damage on the press convention by stating: “Bro, I posted on my Instagram. Go watch what he did. He did so many issues. Go on his Twitter. He deleted many, however you might be nonetheless going to see it. He was disrespectful to me.”
Dvalishvili Admits He Doesn’t Respect Nurmagomedov As A Man, However Does As A Fighter
Talking concerning the “bitterness” between the 2 fighters forward of their conflict, Dvalishvili admitted that he revered his opponent as a fighter, however not as a person. He revealed that he felt Usman was “cocky” and could be “humbled” as soon as he fights him contained in the Octagon.
He additionally pressured that he has by no means stated that he isn’t a superb fighter, alluding to the truth that he takes the upcoming bout very severely, depsite believing Nurmagomedov doesn’t deserve the title alternative in the intervening time.
“I’ve by no means stated that he’s not a superb fighter. I say he’s a superb fighter, however he takes shortcuts, you recognize. He cheated a bit bit as a result of he was combating nobodies and guys on their debut. After which from debut man, he fought quantity two, you recognize, that’s, that’s a present and that’s a shortcut. And that’s not the way you need to earn your title struggle.”
He feels that Nurmagomedov ought to have had no less than yet one more struggle towards somebody like Track Yadong to show himself. Nonetheless, he has accepted the problem regardless of combating again towards the declare that he’s a “pretend champion”, in response to his opponent following his victory towards O’Malley.
UFC 311 Appears to be like Fiery Apart From Dvalishvili and Nurmogomedov Beef
Other than the potential fireworks between Dvalishvili and Nurmogomedov, there isn’t any denying that the UFC 311 struggle card is trying fiery. A complete of 14 fights are scheduled to happen, with the cardboard presently shaped as the next:
Fundamental Card
Islam Makhachev (Champion, 26-1) vs Arman Tsarukyan (22-3) for the UFC Light-weight Championship
Merab Dvalishvili (Champion, 18-4) vs Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0) for the UFC Bantamweight Championship
Jiří Procházka (30-5-1) vs Jamahal Hill (12-2)
Beneil Dariush (22-6-1) vs Renato Moicano (20-5-1)
Kevin Holland (26-12) vs Reinier de Ridder (18-2)
Prelims
Billy Elekana (7-1) vs Bogdan Guskov (16-3)
Payton Talbott (9-0) vs Raoni Barcelos (18-5)
Jailton Almeida (21-3) vs Serghei Spivac (17-4)
Zachary Reese (8-1) vs Azamat Bekoev (18-3)
Early Prelims
Grant Dawson (22-2-1) vs Carlos Diego Ferreira (19-5)
Karol Rosa (18-6) vs Ailín Pérez (11-2)
Rinya Nakamura (9-0) vs Muin Gafurov (19-6)
Ricky Turcios (12-4) vs Bernardo Sopaj (11-3)
Tagir Ulanbekov (15-2) vs Clayton Carpenter (8-0)
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2 – Decide Of The Night time?
Whereas there are lots of bouts to have a look at for potential storylines, there may be one which stands out by far.
The competition between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan will possible have probably the most eyes on it because of the historical past that the pair share, in addition to the potential ramifications that it might have on a fighter. It’ll see the pair conflict for the UFC Light-weight Championship.
The pair have historical past, having first fought in April 2019 once they have been on the cardboard of the UFC Battle Night time: Overeem vs. Oleinik occasion. The pair fought in a decent contest that noticed a number of wrestling strikes exchanged between the pair of them, leading to Makhachev being named the victor by unanimous resolution.
Now, nearly six years later, the pair will get to face off at UFC 311 because the headline occasion, with the bout on January 18 in Inglewood, California, on the Intuit Dome being billed as “Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2”.
It’s a contest that’s anticipated to have a number of curiosity from struggle followers and bettors alike, with many having already made their UFC picks & predictions forward of the bout. Many consider that the champion will come out victorious as he enters the bout with a 26-1 document. He has had three profitable defenses of the title, having overwhelmed Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 to win it earlier than defending it towards Alexander Volkanovski on two separate events and Dustin Poirier since successful it in October 2022.
That’s to not say that Tsarukyan doesn’t have an opportunity. He arguably gave Makhachev the toughest struggle of his profession in his debut contest in UFC. He has a document of 22-3 since his opener, along with his personal big-name victories having occurred to provide him the possibility to compete for the title. He gained that proper after defeating Oliveira in his final bout, after being judged to have gained the competition by the judges in a cut up resolution at UFC 300.
Consequently, the 2 fighters are anticipated to place in an distinctive efficiency on the evening, even when the preliminary bout between the duo was nearly six years in the past. For these seeking to attempt to predict how the struggle could attain its conclusion, many are suggesting that it’ll are available the identical method because the one between Dvalishvili and Nurmogomedov is predicted to finish: by resolution.
For struggle followers, this might be an effective way for each to finish, because it might imply we get to see two intensely fought battles final their length, seeing some hard-hitting fight MMA on supply, slightly than seeing an early end that disappoints those that have waited so lengthy to see them happen.
