Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Umar Nurmagomedov (blue gloves) ices his shoulder between rounds against Merab Dvalishvili (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Umar Nurmagomedov Makes Unexpected Statement About Merab Dvalishvili Before UFC 323!

Losing your undefeated record hurts more than any physical damage inside the cage. Umar Nurmagomedov learned that lesson the hard way at UFC 311. The Dagestani carried an unblemished 18-0 record into his title fight against Merab Dvalishvili. But ‘The Machine’ dominated him over five rounds, handing him his first professional loss. The defeat crushed championship dreams and raised questions about whether the hype was justified.

Most fighters harbor resentment toward opponents who hand them their first loss. But Umar Nurmagomedov appears different in that regard. He’s showing genuine respect toward the man who ended his perfect record. With Dvalishvili preparing to defend his title against Petr Yan at UFC 323, Umar has made some surprising comments.

Umar Nurmagomedov Endorses Merab Dvalishvili For Fighter Of The Year Honor

Umar Nurmagomedov recently appeared on the The Brian Campbell Experience. The conversation turned toward Merab Dvalishvili’s incredible activity level this year. He has already fought three times in 2025 and prepares for a fourth bout at UFC 323. That workload matches what Alex Pereira accomplished last year when he fought three times. Umar believes this consistency deserves recognition at the highest level.

“Even if he loses [to Petr] he deserves fighter of the year. Nobody did this, four times in one year. Nobody with belt. He deserves this. It’s amazing, he will be in history.”

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Those words carry extra weight coming from someone who lost to Dvalishvili. Nurmagomedov could easily dismiss the champion or make excuses for his defeat. Instead, he’s giving credit where it’s due and acknowledging superior performance. That maturity reflects well on his character and the values instilled by his famous fighting family.

Nurmagomedov Gives Petr Yan A Puncher’s Chance At UFC 323

While Umar Nurmagomedov praised Dvalishvili extensively, he didn’t completely write off Petr Yan’s chances. The Russian former champion brings elite striking that could cause problems. Talking to MMA Junkie, this is what he said:

“I think yes, he’s very good with his hands, and always any fighter has a chance. Just will depend how he defends takedowns, but he’s very athletic. They’re both good, and we’re going to see what happens.”

Nurmagomedov himself returns to action this weekend at UFC 321 against Mario Bautista. He’s already thinking about his next move and potential rematch opportunities. The path back to a title shot requires winning impressively and staying active. Despite their heated moments at the UFC 311 press conference, Umar’s respectful comments show true sportsmanship!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Merab Dvalishvili

Petr Yan

UFC 323

Umar Nurmagomedov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!