{"id":630674,"date":"2025-09-18T07:50:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T06:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=630674"},"modified":"2025-09-18T07:50:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T06:50:37","slug":"merab-dvalishvili-intensifies-tensions-with-umar-nurmagomedov-ahead-of-mario-bautista-bout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/merab-dvalishvili-intensifies-tensions-with-umar-nurmagomedov-ahead-of-mario-bautista-bout\/","title":{"rendered":"Merab Dvalishvili Intensifies Tensions With Umar Nurmagomedov Ahead Of Mario Bautista Bout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Championship rivalries in the UFC often extend far beyond the actual fight itself. Sometimes the bad blood lingers for months or even years after the final bell rings. Merab Dvalishvili proved this point perfectly when he successfully defended his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 back in January. Most champions might move on after a decisive victory, but Dvalishvili isn’t most champions. The Georgian fighter has kept the feud alive with Umar Nurmagomedov that shows just how personal their rivalry has become.<\/p>

Dvalishvili never really wanted to fight Nurmagomedov in the first place, and he made that clear from day one. The champ felt like Umar got fast-tracked to a title shot simply because he shares DNA with Khabib Nurmagomedov, the legendary former lightweight champion. In Dvalishvili’s mind, Umar’s six-fight UFC<\/a> win streak wasn’t impressive enough for a title shot, especially since he only had one victory over a top-five ranked opponent before getting his shot at gold. The champion has always been vocal about fighters earning their opportunities the hard way, and he saw Umar’s path as too easy compared to what others had to go through.<\/p>

Merab Dvalishvili Throws Shade While Praising Mario Bautista<\/h2>

The bantamweight king recently made some comments that perfectly capture how he feels about the whole situation. When asked about Umar’s upcoming fight against Mario Bautista at UFC 321, Dvalishvili didn’t hold back his true feelings. He openly stated that he hopes Bautista beats Umar and explained why he thinks he’s more deserving of title consideration. Dvalishvili pointed out that Bautista is riding an eight-fight win streak and has beaten legitimate competition along the way. <\/p>

Merab Dvalishvili made a pointed reference to family connections. He said that Bautista’s cousin isn’t named Khabib, which is why he needs a nine-fight win streak to maybe get a title shot. The champion clearly believes that some fighters get special treatment based on their last name rather than their actual accomplishments. Talking to MMA Junkie,<\/strong> this is what he said:<\/p>

“I hope Bautista whoops Umar’s ass, and I will fight Bautista next… He’s more deserving, and Bautista’s cousin’s name is not Khabib, but that’s why he needs a 9 fight win streak to MAYBE fight for the belt. Some people can get a title fight after a 6-fight win streak, fighting nobodies, without ranked opponents.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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A post shared by MMA Pros Pick (@mma.pros.pick)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>