Merab Dvalishvili Asked to Come for Face-to-Face Meeting in October by Umar Nurmagomedov Upon Disrespect

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili remains at loggerheads with ex-rival Umar Nurmagomedov.

Merab Dvalishvili Asked to Come for Face-to-Face Meeting in October by Umar Nurmagomedov Upon Disrespect

Umar Nurmagomedov calls out Merab Dvalishvili (via MMA Fighting)

Merab Dvalishvili’s rivalry with Umar Nurmagomedov has continued since their UFC 311 title clash. They initially shared respect and avoided trash talk, but the animosity between them became personal during the buildup. Nearly 20 months later, they remain at odds through social media exchanges and interviews.

At UFC 311, Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against the previously unbeaten Nurmagomedov. The Dagestan native started strongly, but Dvalishvili’s pressure and takedowns became more effective later. The Georgian star eventually won by unanimous decision, with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.

The animosity resurfaced after Dvalishvili slapped Nurmagomedov’s friend during an altercation at the RAF Georgia event. Dvalishvili has continued saying Umar is the only Dagestani fighter he dislikes because of perceived disrespect. Nurmagomedov has now pushed back against those comments and addressed their ongoing tension.

It’s never going to die, and we’re never going to be friends, and I’m never going to invite him anywhere to drink tea or something. It’s never going to be done. And he acts how he acts. You don’t need social media, and you need nobody, Ok? [If] I do disrespect [towards] him, come to me. Why are you going to cry? Why are you going to tell, ‘Ah, he disrespected me, he’s like this, he’s like this.’ Why? For what? You have a problem, come to me. Tell me anything in front of me.

Umar Nurmagomedov via MMA Fighting

Nurmagomedov previously addressed the RAF Georgia altercation involving Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov, a wrestling veteran who defended him after Dvalishvili’s comments. ‘The Young Eagle’ questioned how Dvalishvili could have a conscience after slapping his friend during the confrontation.

The animosity between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov wasn’t always present, but it resurfaced during the UFC 311 buildup. Dvalishvili later acknowledged that his former rival began talking trash unnecessarily after his team pushed him during media duties. That change became a major reason behind the spite Dvalishvili still carries.

The Georgian star’s dislike of Nurmagomedov was recently highlighted during a lie detector test with Aviator. Asked if there was a fighter he could not stand, Dvalishvili confirmed there was one. He indirectly pointed toward Nurmagomedov by describing the Dagestani bantamweight as a “spoiled little baby.”

Dvalishvili has also found himself at odds with Islam Makhachev after reacting to his UFC 330 Russian flag celebration. Makhachev pushed back against those comments, but ‘The Machine’ later clarified that he respects the champion. His issue centered on the UFC allowing Makhachev’s flag while previously denying his Georgian-American flag.

Merab Dvalishvili is set for a trilogy against current champion Petr Yan at UFC 333, while Umar Nurmagomedov faces Song Yadong at UFC Shanghai. Both have important fights ahead, but their rivalry remains unresolved. It remains to be seen how the Georgian will respond to his former rival’s latest comments.

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Merab Dvalishvili has not fought in the UFC since losing his bantamweight title to Petr Yan at UFC 323. However, ‘The Machine’ has stayed active under the RAF banner, beating Frankie Edgar by technical superiority at RAF 9. He then defeated Henry Cejudo by an 11-8 decision at RAF Georgia.

Tensions emerged between Dvalishvili and Arman Tsarukyan after the Armenian called him out at RAF Georgia. Dvalishvili viewed the callout as disrespectful, while Tsarukyan later criticized his backstage altercation. Tsarukyan felt they could have discussed their differences instead of Dvalishvili making the situation physical.

Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili (via UFC)

Tsarukyan has also remained in a heated rivalry with former champion Ilia Topuria, a close associate of Dvalishvili. The Armenian and Topuria have repeatedly traded shots on social media while building tension toward a potential clash. Their exchanges have often taken a personal turn, further intensifying their rivalry.

However, Tsarukyan recently appeared on a stream with popular streamer N3on, who video-called Dvalishvili. The Georgian clarified that he had nothing personal against Tsarukyan, only that he disliked his comments about Topuria. Tsarukyan then explained that his remarks toward ‘El Matador’ were strictly business ahead of a potential clash.

The two UFC fighters now find themselves in similar positions after recent RAF setbacks. Arman Tsarukyan suffered his first RAF loss against Colby Covington at RAF 11. Merab Dvalishvili also suffered a 36-second loss to Cejudo at RAF 12. Their recent interaction, however, suggests the animosity between them has disappeared.

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