Merab Dvalishvili levels serious allegations of bias against UFC about 'disrespectful' Umar Nurmagomedov, Dagestani gives candid response
Newly crowned bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili doesn't seem to be interested in fighting Umar Nurmagomedov. In a recent post on Facebook, 'The Machine' alleged that the UFC was showing bias towards Nurmagomedov, while also accusing the Dagestani of being disrespectful towards him.
For context, after the Georgian defeated Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev went backstage to congratulate him.
However, his fellow bantamweight apparently approached the UFC the very next day, to prompt them to give him 'The Machine' in his subsequent fight. Suffice it to say that Dvalishvili saw this as disrespectful. He wrote:
"In two months I would've had to fight against an unrated strong fighter when I couldn't rest and prepare for a new fight... Umar was driven by great ambition and sporting disrespect towards me. Georgians, just so you know, this boy wronged me and he doesn't deserve to fight me."
Furthermore, the 33-year-old is convinced that the UFC is showing favoritism towards the Russian fighter because the promotion was sponsored by the same Arab sheikhs who financially backed Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov for one is unconvinced by the champion's reasoning. In a recent appearance on Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry, he said:
"[He thinks I'm disrespectful] because I want to fight with him? I don't know what for him respect means. If I say to him, 'Hey I don't want to fight with Merab,' I respect him? Leave him alone, and let him be champion until he wants to retire? Is it respect for him? If yes, sorry, I will disrespect you."
Catch Umar Nurmagomedov's comments about Merab Dvalishvili below (second slide):
Merab Dvalishvili snubs Umar Nurmagomedov for Deiveson Figueiredo
Merab Dvalishvili seems intent on not facing Umar Nurmagomedov for his first title defense.
'The Machine' was particularly mum when the No.2-ranked contender's name was brought up during his post-fight interview at Noche UFC. He was once again dismissive of Nurmagomedov when quizzed about his next fight during the post-fight presser.
Dvalishvili favors taking on former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo for his maiden title defense. Explain the rationale behind his decision, 'The Machine' said:
"I want to fight the top of the top. I think Figueiredo, a former champion, will be [the] fifth champion on my list. He is more dangerous, [has] knockout power, good jiu-jitsu, makes people sleep, coming from three straight wins over top guys... Umar is, yeah he is okay, but I'm telling you guys, from [the] top 15 he has only won one fight."
Watch Merab Dvalishvili explain why he doesn't want to fight Umar Nurmagomedov below (1:10):
Georgia is taking over the MMA world!