Umar Nurmagomedov’s camp is confident that he fights Merab Dvalishvili for the title next.
Dvalishvili dethroned Sean O’Malley to win the bantamweight title via a dominant unanimous decision in the main event at UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday. Nurmagomedov has been discussed as the next likely title challenger for Dvalishvili.
However, Dvalishvili has consistently downplayed the undefeated Dagestani’s claim to a title shot. “The Machine” claims Nurmagomedov was quickly moved up the rankings because he is the cousin of former lightweight champ and MMA GOAT contender Khabib Nurmagomedov.
After Dvalishvili’s win over “Suga,” UFCcommentator Joe Rogan asked him about potentially defending his title against Nurmagomedov, who was also in attendance at UFC 306. Understandably emotional after his title victory, Dvalishvili wanted to soak in the moment, refusing to plot his next move immediately. The Georgian also downplayed Nurmagomedov in his post fight interview, arguing that the Dagestani shouldn’t get a gold bid off of a win over Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili instead called out former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo, adding that he wants Nurmagomedov to go through another test such as Petr Yan.
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov said he expected more from O’Malley and hopes Dvalishvili won’t avoid a fight against him.
“I expected more from Sean, Merab did his job well,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X. “I hope he won’t avoid the real challenger. In any case, I’m ready.”
I expected more from Sean, Merab did his job well. I hope he won’t avoid the real challenger.
In any case, I’m ready.— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) September 15, 2024
Regardless of what Dvalishvili says, Nurmagomedov’s camp seems pretty confident that he’s next in line for the title. Nurmagomedov’s undefeated brother, Usman, believes Dvalishvili won’t be given much of a choice about fighting his brother. The Bellator lightweight champ also understands why Dvalishvili doesn’t want to immediately put his long-awaited title on the line against someone like his brother.
“You can run but you can’t hide,” Usman wrote on his Instagram stories. “Soon Umar will become undisputed, undefeated bantamweight champ, and will hold this belt for as long as he wants. I don’t think Merab will be given much of a choice. I understand his reaction. He came a long way and now the fight with Umar is a stylistic nightmare for him.”
Meanwhile, manager Ali Abdelaziz claims to have already confirmed with the UFC that Umar is next in line to fight Dvalishvili.
I spoke to @ufc @UNmgdv next congratulation to merab nobody deserve it more than him
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) September 15, 2024
