Tensions are high between Umar Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili ahead of their UFC 311 bout, but the No. 1 contender believes he has never disrespected the reigning bantamweight champion.
“It’s a little emotional,” Nurmagomedov said in a UFC interview. “I don’t think he’s an angry person. I don’t think he’s a bad person. I don’t really know what he’s saying condescendingly…I talk about fighting. I said, “Hello, Merab, your title awaits me.” You won’t say my name, will you? He looks insane. Everyone was talking about it, not just me. When they forced him to fight…and he said nothing. ”
Dvalishvili was initially reluctant to face Nurmagomedov as he felt that Nurmagomedov was not working hard enough towards winning the title. He has since claimed that Nurmagomedov is too “cocky” for his liking. According to Nurmagomedov, there may be ulterior motives behind Dvalishvili’s initial reluctance.
“I think he just wants to fight a real guy that he can beat. That doesn’t mean I’m really 100 percent going to get in the cage and beat him, no. I know he’s going to win. It’s going to be difficult for me,” Nurmagomedov said. “That’s why he’s been trying to be champion for a long time and wants to fight these guys.” [Sean]
O’Malley, Petr Yan, or someone else, because they can make easy money. Me, no. For me, he has to go to deep waters. It’s going to be a long night with me. I don’t give him takedowns. He won’t control me.
“I have good skills and striking skills and I can cause him a lot of trouble. So, I don’t think I’m going to be scared once I get in the cage. If this guy beats me I know I’m trying to, I’m trying to beat him and that It’s going to be a fight. What I understand is that he doesn’t want to have a dangerous fight. He can beat me, it can happen. It’s not going to break me. I will be the same Umar. A fight is a fight. Everyone can lose. …As far as being scared, I think he doesn’t want to take risks, he doesn’t want to fight hard.”
Even if a contract is signed, Nurmagomedov wouldn’t be surprised if Dvalishvili withdraws from fights between now and January 18th.
“I don’t [be] Surprised and no one is surprised [be] Nurmagomedov said: “I still see the comments and I see him on Twitter saying he’s pulling out, but he’s never pulled out before. I hope he doesn’t, but… There will be a fight.”
