“Pushed Because of His Cousin” – Merab Dvalishvili Reveals How Umar Nurmagomedov Made it Personal 

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili talks about how opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov, made their rivalry personal.

“Pushed Because of His Cousin” – Merab Dvalishvili Reveals How Umar Nurmagomedov Made it Personal 

Merab Dvalishvili reveals reason for making Umar Nurmagomedov rivalry personal (via MMA Fighting)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

There is no doubt that Georgian star and UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has created an enormous legacy for himself in the 135-pound division’s history. Hailing from a small village in Georgia, Dvalishvili made a name for himself by showcasing exceptional cardio and grappling. He recently opened up on his heated rivalry against fellow bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov.

The Georgian-American star defeated Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 via unanimous decision. Dvalishvili recently appeared on the popular “Full Send” podcast hosted by YouTuber group Nelk Boys. He spoke about the rematch with Nurmagomedov and had some violent aspirations for the bout. However, the champion also revealed why the fight had turned personal for him.

I always showed him my respect, and as men, we don’t care about anything else; we just want respect. I got here for my work, but he got pushed because of his cousin, and that hyped him. I was mad when he disrespected me. He was disrespecting me, and that was personal for sure.

Merab Dvalishvili via Full Send podcast

The ‘Machine’ has often expressed his distaste regarding Nurmagomedov’s behavior after the loss. He even termed their fight as nothing but a mere “sparring match”. However, the Dagestani native believed that he did not lose the fight and was slowed down due to a broken hand. Dvalishvili dismissed his claims and revealed that he was facing a back injury but still showed up to the fight.

Umar is trained by UFC legend and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was in his corner for the UFC 311 co-main event. However, the ‘Eagle’ puts his students through vigorous training sessions and strict disciplinary methods. The loss against the Georgian fighter would have undoubtedly forced Nurmagomedov to set up harsher and better training sessions for the youngster.

As the cousin of Khabib, Umar had experienced a rapid rise, with many believing that his family ties had accelerated his path to high-profile opportunities. In contrast, few questioned his skill set, which combines Dagestani wrestling with sharp striking. However, critics argue his career was fast-tracked compared to others in the division due to his family’s legacy.

Merab Dvalishvili reveals training plan with Conor McGregor

Merab Dvalishvili is set to take on bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 4th in Las Vegas. Both fighters have shown respect for each other and have appreciated each other’s performances in the past. However, the Georgian-American superstar recently revealed that he discussed a potential training session with UFC superstar and double champ Conor McGregor.

Merab Dvalishvili details potential training session with Conor McGregor
Merab Dvalishvili details potential training session with Conor McGregor (via CNN, McGregor fast)

Dvalishvili emphasized that his priority is to defend his belt and then stay active before the year closes. He has already named former champion Petr Yan as a preferred opponent for a quick turnaround in November or December. Only after handling those commitments does he intend to travel to Ireland to train with McGregor, whom he described as “really motivated.”

I was on FaceTime with him when I was in China and I said, ‘Let’s go Conor I’m going to come train with you.’

Merab Dvalishvili via Full Send podcast

Once the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draw, McGregor has been on the sidelines in recent years but remains a global figure in combat sports. A training session with Dvalishvili would not only generate headlines but could also provide both fighters with unique skills and perspectives.

Also Read: