At UFC 311, Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight title by defeating Umar Nurmagomedov through a unanimous decision. Prior to his upcoming second defense against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, Dvalishvili openly dismissed Nurmagomedov as a significant challenge, expressing confidence in his approach during their fight.
Dvalishvili’s Perspective on Facing Umar Nurmagomedov
During the UFC 316 countdown show, Dvalishvili described Nurmagomedov as merely “another fighter” rather than a formidable threat. He explained that despite acknowledging Nurmagomedov’s skills, he remained composed and focused on executing his strategy without fear. His plan involved mixing takedown attempts with striking to maintain control over the fight.
“I know, Umar, how good he was and how dangerous he was, but I was ready for this challenge. My game plan was to outstrike him, but I keep it smart. I started mixing up takedown attempts. I don’t feel any danger. I just felt that he was just another fighter, another sparring partner. As long as I keep at my best, I know I can win. Now, I showed the world. I beat Umar, I’m still champion and I want to keep this belt.”
—Merab Dvalishvili, UFC Bantamweight Champion
Dvalishvili’s victory handed Nurmagomedov his first professional loss, reinforcing the Georgian’s status as a dominant force in the division. With an unbeaten streak approaching 13 wins, Dvalishvili is poised to defend his title further as he prepares for a rematch with Sean O’Malley, whom he previously defeated at UFC 306.
The Champion’s Plans Beyond O’Malley
Looking ahead, Dvalishvili indicated he intends to remain active throughout 2025, aiming to compete twice more after his next fight. In an interview with MMA Junkie, he identified Cory Sandhagen, the No. 4 ranked bantamweight, as a preferred next opponent. Dvalishvili praised Sandhagen’s skill set and experience within the division, highlighting the challenge and excitement such a bout would present.
“I want to be busy. Like I said in another interview, I will be happy if I will fight two more times this year. So, it looks like Cory Sandhagen is ready for me and we’ve never fought each other. He is a great contender, he’s fought everybody, he has a good style, he is a good fighter, we all know. He beat a lot of guys in our division.”
—Merab Dvalishvili, UFC Bantamweight Champion
“I don’t mind to take another quick turnaround fight and then fight one more in the end of this year, either in New York or here in my new home in Las Vegas.”
—Merab Dvalishvili, UFC Bantamweight Champion
Dvalishvili’s commitment to frequent competition reflects his determination to maintain momentum and assert dominance within the bantamweight class. By openly targeting Sandhagen and expressing readiness for back-to-back bouts, he signals an appetite for rigorous challenges as he looks to extend his reign.
Implications for the Bantamweight Division
Merab Dvalishvili’s downplaying of Umar Nurmagomedov as a threat underscores his confidence heading into lighter weight title defenses. His active schedule and interest in facing top contenders such as Cory Sandhagen suggest ongoing shifts and intense rivalries in the UFC bantamweight landscape. Fans can anticipate an exciting season as Dvalishvili aims to solidify his championship legacy while seeking to fend off rising challengers.