In the high-stakes of UFC bantamweight contenders, Merab Dvalishvili isn’t pulling any punches—inside or outside the octagon.
The Georgian fighter, set to challenge Sean O’Malley for the title at UFC 306, recently took aim at rising star Umar Nurmagomedov‘s fast-tracked path to title contention.
“Listen, Umar is good, but let’s be real,” Dvalishvili said in a candid interview, his voice tinged with frustration. “He just fought nobody from the top 15, and suddenly UFC gives him this gift – Cory Sandhagen, the number two guy. It’s like, bro, give us some respect!”
Dvalishvili’s path to a title shot has been anything but easy. The “Machine” had to grind through a grueling 10-fight win streak, taking out former champions like Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, and even Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo.
It’s a journey that’s left him with little patience for fighters he perceives as getting preferential treatment.
“Now Umar’s calling out Sean, calling out me. What the f***?” Dvalishvili continued, his passion evident. “You just got here because your last name is Nurmagomedov, because you’re Khabib’s cousin. If you ask them, they say they don’t like trash talk, but then they talk trash when the cameras are off. It’s bulls***.”
The contrast between Dvalishvili’s hard-earned opportunity and Nurmagomedov’s rapid rise clearly strikes a nerve. “I had to work for everything I got,” Merab emphasized. “Nothing was handed to me. I proved myself against the best, time and time again.”
Dvalishvili didn’t hold back when discussing what he sees as a lack of humility from the Nurmagomedov camp. “He has to grow up, be more of a man,” Merab stated bluntly. “Respect the fighters who’ve been here a long time. Don’t act like you’re on top when you just got here.”
The Georgian contender offered some advice for Nurmagomedov’s next move: “He should fight Figueredo. Figueredo deserves more, you know? He’s a former champion, he’s beaten top guys. At least Figueredo is humble, a real fighter. He didn’t get here because of somebody’s cousin.”
As Dvalishvili prepares for his own title shot against O’Malley, he remains focused on the task at hand. “First, I have to win this fight,” he acknowledged. “But I’m working hard, I’m very hungry, and I’m going to surprise a lot of people. Don’t be shocked if I knock him out.”
For Merab, the upcoming title fight represents more than just a chance at UFC gold – it’s validation of his long, difficult journey to the top. “When I become champion, it’ll be that much more special,” he reflected. “Because I know I earned every bit of it.”