Umar Nurmagomedov desperate for a fight in 2024 amid Merab Dvalishvili's snub: "Anyone, even if it's King Kong"
Umar Nurmagomedov has seemingly responded to Merab Dvalishvili's recent assertions about their potential fight and suggested that he doesn't want to wait for the champion till 2025. Instead, Nurmagomedov is willing to fight anyone at bantamweight this year.
The Georgian-American Dvalishvili is on an 11-fight win streak and is the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. The 33-year-old captured the belt by dethroning 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley with a dominant unanimous decision victory in the headlining match of UFC 306 (aka Riyadh Season Noche UFC) at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., on Sept. 14, 2024.
During his post-fight octagon interview, Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA) was asked about possibly defending his title against Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA) next. 'Young Eagle' was in attendance and was shown on the split screen during the interview. The newly-crowned champion responded ambiguously, claiming he'll fight anyone the UFC books him against.
'The Machine' has maintained that the fighter most deserving of a bantamweight title shot is former UFC flyweight champion and the current No. 5-ranked bantamweight, Deiveson Figueiredo. Dvalishvili also deemed Nurmagomedov an easy fight and warned he'd handily beat him.
Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov has consistently alleged that Merab Dvalishvili has been evading a fight against him. Moreover, as noted in a recent Instagram post put forth by Russia's Gorilla Fighting's official Instagram handle, Nurmagomedov underscored his desire to compete before 2024 draws to a close.
The 28-year-old alluded to Dvalishvili snubbing him and seemed to suggest that he'd even fight the fictional gorilla-like giant, 'King Kong,' if need be. Emphasizing that he wants to be active as an MMA competitor. Nurmagomedov stated:
"I don't want to wait until next year -- I want to fight ... Anyone, even if it's King Kong -- let them make weight and we'll fight."
He added:
"I really don't care -- I don't want to wait for these guys. I have my own goal, I'm going to be the greatest, so I have to be active!"
Check out the Instagram post below:
Umar Nurmagomedov and 'Team Khabib' members take aim at Merab Dvalishvili ahead of potential fight
During the UFC 306 post-fight press conference, Merab Dvalishvili indicated that Umar Nurmagomedov isn't from Russia but rather from Dagestan. This drew criticism from certain quarters, as Dagestan is geographically regarded as a part of modern-day Russia.
Fighters like Umar and ex-UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (Umar's older cousin) represent Russia.
Reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a veteran member of 'Team Khabib,' recently addressed the same while speaking to Igor Lazorin. Makhachev accused Dvalishvili of "playing mind games" and foresees Umar dethroning 'The Machine.'
Dvalishvili argues that Umar Nurmagomedov has a win over just one high-ranking contender in Cory Sandhagen and is being given a promotional push simply because of his ties with the legendary Khabib.
After UFC 306, Umar jabbed at Dvalishvili for his supposed double standards. 'Young Eagle' implied that the latter didn't similarly protest when his friend, Georgian-Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria, got a UFC featherweight title shot in Feb. 2024 after just a few fights in the UFC.
Presently, neither Merab Dvalishvili nor Umar Nurmagomedov's respective comeback dates have been officially announced by the UFC. Regardless, the consensus is that Dvalishvili would likely be booked to defend his bantamweight championship against the undefeated Nurmagomedov next.