Merab Dvalishvili has been UFC champion for less than six months, but he’s already experienced what it feels like to be a marked man at the top of the division.
“Since becoming champion, a lot of drama has increased,” Dvalishvili recently told ESPN. “I talked about it a lot online. I don’t know, probably because everyone wanted to see me fight Umar.
[Nurmagomedov]. Everyone is talking. ”
Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title with a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September of this year. Nurmagomedov was also in the fight, and Dagestani quickly became the promotion’s top contender, despite Dvalishvili’s objections. The 33-year-old Georgian wanted to enjoy winning the championship, but ultimately agreed to defend the belt against Nurmagomedov in the co-main event of UFC 311 on January 18 in Los Angeles. did.
Meanwhile, “The Machine” initially felt some backlash from those who perceived him as shying away from a fight with Nurmagomedov. That all comes with the realm of being a champion, and Dvalishvili insists he is now used to the extra scrutiny.
“In the last few games I was getting a lot of attention. People recognize me. But the hate on Instagram and social media, it was very difficult for me,” Dvalishvili said. Ta. “It was like extra pressure. But it’s okay. I’m fine now. I’m focused on the fight.
“I’m still learning. The best thing to do right now is just keep busy and fight, because this time I was going to have fun and now I feel like I’m Conor McGregor. Because then there’s a lot of drama. Even Jon Jones and Mike Tyson used to cause a lot of drama. It’s like, “Where did this come from?” I’m the same guy. I’m training and doing the same thing and it’s all good. ”
Despite signing a deal to face Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili still insists the undefeated Eagles MMA product hasn’t put in the necessary effort to earn the No. 1 contender spot. Nurmagomedov’s 18-0 record includes six wins in UFC competition. But with the exception of Cory Sandhagen, most of his opponents did not come from the upper echelons of the division. That was Dvalishvili’s biggest complaint. In comparison, Dvalishvili had to beat the likes of Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, Jose Aldo, Marlon Moraes and John Dodson to have a chance at the title.
“Umar is a good fighter. It’s a big challenge. But he doesn’t earn it like the rest of us,” Dvalishvili said. “We all work hard to get here. Nothing comes easy. But Umar somehow gets it. [an easy
path]. He just complains all the time that no one wants to fight him.
“But there are a lot of great fighters. [Mario] Bautista. There are many fighters who are killers. There is [Montel]
Jackson…he only fought Sandhagen, he didn’t wrestle. Maybe his excuse is this: He beat the No. 2 guy. [in the UFC rankings] And now he’s here. That’s a big challenge. [The only thing] I hate it, he just doesn’t earn it like the way UFC fighters are supposed to earn it. He’s just cocky. He must at least be humble. ”
That said, Dvalishvili recognizes the skill his opponent brings.
“The fight is going to be really tough. This is a big challenge for me as I’m new,” Dvalishvili said. “He’s a good fighter. He’s a good kicker, he’s a good striker, he’s a good wrestler. It’s a new challenge.”
