Tag: Merab Dvalishvili

UFC 311 video: Merab Dvalishvili, Umar Nurmagomedov go face-to-face

Oh, boy. UFC 311 is shaping up to be a doozy.

LAS VEGAS – After a heated backstage altercation that required security intervention, the two participants in the UFC 311 co-main event were able to ease their tensions for their first official faceoff Friday.

At a news conference at MGM Grand Garden Arena, champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] and rival [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] stole the show on the mic before they partook in a faceoff. The fight takes place Jan. 18 as the UFC 311 co-headliner at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

The booking came as a surprise to many as Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) seemed to be on different timelines for return. Additionally, Dvalishvili for weeks had indicated he wanted a rematch with Sean O’Malley or Petr Yan instead. However, the UFC got the booking done, as a compliment to the card’s main event of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev vs. challenger Arman Tsarukyan.

Check out Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov’s faceoff in the video above and check out a gallery of photos below.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Videos: Merab Dvalishvili, Umar Nurmagomedov separated by security before UFC 311 press conference

Prior to the UFC 311 press conference, Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov got into a heated argument backstage.

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] and [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] can’t wait to get their hands on each other.

Friday, backstage before the UFC 311 press conference, Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) got into a heated exchange of words, prompting security to intervene. The two bantamweights will clash in the co-main event of the pay-per-view on Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

According to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, the altercation began when UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili stepped away from an interview to confront his upcoming challenger. Videos quickly surfaced online from RMC Sport Combat and AG Fight, showing the two getting close momentarily while Dvalisvhili asked why Nurmagomedov had disrespected him.

The two continued to yell back and forth as security kept them apart, eventually leading Nurmagomedov away. Dvalishvili returned to his interview after the situation was over.

Check out videos of the incident below via X (formerly Twitter):

Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov are expected to participate in the UFC 311 on-sale press conference along with headliners Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan prior to the UFC 310 ceremonial weigh-ins.

You can watch video of the press conference below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Video replay: ‘UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2’ on-sale press conference

Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov will share the stage at Friday’s UFC 311 press conference.

LAS VEGAS – With tickets set to go on sale Friday, the promotion for the UFC’s first pay-per-view will kick into high gear with a UFC 311 press conference featuring the athletes from the two title fights.

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] is set to put his lightweight title on the line in a rematch with [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] in the headliner of the Jan. 18 card at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., while bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] takes on undefeated [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the co-main event.

All four fighters will take the stage for a promotional press conference Friday at T-Mobile Arena, and MMA Junkie will have a live stream beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Check out the video above to see Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) take the stage to answer questions and take part in their first faceoffs.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 311 co-main event

It’s not often that a UFC champion enters a title fight as the underdog, but that is the case with Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov.

Bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] will kick off his title reign when he meets undefeated [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the UFC 311 main event, but could it last only one fight?

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov preview

Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), 33, claimed the 135-pound championship with a largely one-sided unanimous decision win over Sean O’Malley this past September at UFC 306. The victory moved Dvalishvili’s winning streak to 11 fights, which dates back to September 2018 and includes the likes of former champions Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat in his professional career, which began in December 2016. Although 28-year-old Nurmagomedov has been perfect, his resume is chalk full of unknown opponents. But he passed his first test with flying colors last August at UFC on ABC 27, where he outworked Cory Sandhagen to win their five-round main event by clear unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov, 28, is fighting Dvalishvili, 33, despite recently revealing that he fractured his arm and saying January would be too soon. Nurmagomedov is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who also serves as one of his coaches, and older brother to Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov odds

It’s not often that a sitting UFC champion enters a title fight as the betting underdog, but that’s the case here. Despite Dvalishvili being the clearly more accomplished fighter with the more impressive resume, the opening odds are in favor of Nurmagomedov to claim gold.

According to DraftKings, Nurmagomedov has opened as a -198 betting favorite, with Dvalishvili coming back as a +164 underdog.

How to watch Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311

  • When: Saturday, January 18, 2025
  • Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov announced as UFC 311 co-main event

Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight title for the first time against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January.

UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] is set for his first title defense, and it’s against an undefeated opponent.

At UFC 311 on Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) will put his title on the line against [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] in the co-feature bout. A lightweight title fight, a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, headlines the pay-per-view event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). The promotion announced the fight Wednesday evening.

Dvalishvili captured bantamweight gold in a dominant unanimous decision win over Sean O’Malley in the UFC 306 headliner at Sphere in Las Vegas. Not only will “The Machine” risk his recently-acquired title against Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), but also his 11-fight winning streak which stretches back to 2018.

Nurmagomedov won his first headliner in August at UFC on ABC 7, where he outworked Cory Sandhagen over five rounds for a unanimous decision. Despite recently revealing he fractured his arm and saying he couldn’t fight in January, the undefeated contender will compete for the title in the first pay-per-view of 2025.

The latest UFC 311 lineup now includes:

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan – for lightweight title
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov – for bantamweight title
  • Jamahal Hill vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
  • Muin Gafurov vs. Rinya Nakamura
  • Bogdan Guskov vs. Johnny Walker
  • Ailin Perez vs. Karol Rosa
  • Sedriques Dumas vs. Zach Reese
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Payton Talbott
  • Bernardo Sopaj vs. Ricky Turcios

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Merab Dvalishvili says Aljamain Sterling ‘smashed’ him in grappling training ahead of UFC 310

Merab Dvalishvili is confident in Aljamain Sterling’s grappling heading into UFC 310.

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] is confident in [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s grappling heading into UFC 310.

Elite grapplers Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) and Movsar Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) square off in Saturday’s prelims (pay-per-view, ESPN 2, ESPN+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili has been helping his good friend and training partner prep for Evloev, and he likes what he sees out of “The Funkmaster.”

Dvalishvili himself is known for his grappling and relentless pace, which saw him attempt a UFC-record 49 takedowns against Petr Yan, and five takedowns landed on Olympic gold medalist wrestler Henry Cejudo at UFC 298.

“Aljo feels really strong,” Dvalishvili said on Sterling’s YouTube channel. “Now he did a bunch of rounds of jiu-jitsu too. He did two rounds with me. I couldn’t do anything. He was on top of me, controlled me, smashed me. That means that Aljo is going to smash his opponent – even though his opponent is really good.

“I have so much respect for Movsar Evloev, but that’s how the fight game is. The stronger guy wins. I’m very comfortable with Aljo because he’s focused and he feels really strong.”

According to DraftKings, former UFC bantamweight champion Sterling is a +210 underdog against undefeated Evloev, who’s a -258 favorite.

“This is a big test, I’m not leaving any stones unturned,” Sterling said. “Go out there and get it as best as I can, and we’re going to shock the world baby. That 0 has got to go.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

Aljamain Sterling: Merab Dvalishvili ‘just standing on business’ by dismissing Umar Nurmagomedov

Aljamain Sterling says Merab Dvalishvili not wanting to fight Umar Nurmagomedov is out of principle.

[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] says [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] not wanting to fight [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is out of principle.

UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) was heavily chastised for calling out Petr Yan (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) after he defeated Deiveison Figueiredo this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 248. Dvalishvili already beat Yan before, winning a lopsided unanimous decision where he shot a single-fight UFC record 49 takedown attempts.

Dvalishvili insists that beating just one ranked contender in Cory Sandhagen isn’t enough for Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to earn a title shot, and Sterling defends his argument.

“Some people actually think he’s afraid, which is actually hilarious,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “From what I understand when we talk, Merab is just standing on business, like, ‘Bro you haven’t done anything and I’m supposed to be busting my ass over here?’

“I’m from the same area as you, in relation to the area – the Caucus mountains – and I had to come here and bust my ass just to get a title shot and you’re going to get it off of one win? And I had to fight all these contenders. That’s crazy.”

Nurmagomedov was quick to remind Sterling of his initial stance on who should be next in line for a title shot.

“@funkmasterMMA When you weren’t afraid to speak the truth.”

Sterling explains that when comparing Yan and Nurmagomedov’s accolades and strength of schedule, former champion Yan’s is more impressive.

“I think that was way more dominant than Umar’s performance over Sandhagen, and Yan beat Sandhagen,” Sterling said. “I know you can’t do MMA math, but in terms of notoriety, then technically Yan should jump both of them to be No. 1 as a contender. If you’re using logic, that’s the way that it should go. But if we’re talking strictly what have you done lately, I guess Umar does have the highest credible win.”

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Video: Professor Merab Dvalishvili gives lesson in ‘Why Umar Doesn’t Deserve Title Shot 101’

UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili broke out the board to explain the science behind Umar Nurmagomedov not deserving a title shot.

Quiet down, everyone. Class is back in session.

The guest speaker today will be professor [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag], who will be teaching a virtual lesson in titleshotology.

In the video below, Prof. Dvalishvili explains the different elements of the periodic table of bantamweights and how they interact with one another.

There will be a quiz following the conclusion of the lesson, so be sure to pay attention. You’ll have to decide for yourselves which championship equation make the most sense.

Is the answer [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]? Is it [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag]? Make sure to use critical thinking skills when determining.

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The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, that’s on you.

Overreaction Time: On Conor McGregor’s new low, Jon Jones’ pound-for-pound status, more!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” on Conor McGregor losing his sexual assault civil trial and much more.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie Radio host Brian “Goze” Garcia debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] is a disgrace to MMA.
  • There’s no way [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] should be No. 1 pound-for-pound.
  • [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] vs.[autotag] Petr Yan next?[/autotag] It’s not crazy!
  • [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] better make a statement at UFC 311.
  • [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]? Get the f*** out of here!

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Sean O’Malley, Tim Welch put UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili on blast for wanting Petr Yan next

Sean O’Malley doubles down on his accusation of UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili being afraid of Umar Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] has doubled down on his accusation of UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] being afraid of [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag].

After [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) defeated Deiveison Figueiredo in a Fight of the Night battle in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 248 headliner in Macau, his callout was accepted by Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who lauded him for his performance. That set off Nurmagomedov, who, unlike Yan, would present a fresh challenge to Dvalishvili. “The Machine” already defeated Yan by lopsided decision in their March 2023 main event.

“Umar wants to fight Merab in January,” O’Malley said on his “TimboSugaShow” podcast. “Petr wants to fight Merab in March. I want to fight Merab in April. Merab is absolutely sh*tting himself terrified of Umar. He doesn’t want to fight Umar. Now he’s saying he wants to fight Petr. He wanted to fight me. Petr got 50-45’d to Merab.”

O’Malley lost his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili this past September at UFC 306. His head coach, Tim Welch, thinks Dvalishvili as champion is not good for the bantamweight division.

“Think of how exciting and lit the division would be if Merab wasn’t a part of it,” Welch said. “That’s no disrespect. The guy is really good at getting in those positions and getting through the fight. But, man, it would be lit. But the dude’s a serious problem.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.