Merab Dvalishvili is establishing himself as one of the most dominant figures in the UFC bantamweight division, a fact acknowledged even by his fiercest challengers. Following Dvalishvili’s successful title defense against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, O’Malley himself recognized the Georgian fighter as the undisputed greatest of all time in their weight class. Adding to that recognition, Umar Nurmagomedov, who lost a contentious decision to Dvalishvili earlier in 2025, has also voiced his belief that Dvalishvili will remain champion through the remainder of the year. This acknowledgment from Nurmagomedov highlights the rising champion’s tough, relentless style that has proven overwhelming for many opponents.

Nurmagomedov’s view came directly after his defeat at UFC 311, where he admitted the battle was far from lost in his eyes despite a broken hand that impaired his performance. He openly stated,

And I don’t think I’ve lost this battle If even the whole world will convince me otherwise.

While conceding that the injury affected his showing, Nurmagomedov credited Dvalishvili’s endurance and resilience as key factors in his own loss, underscoring the brutal physical pressure Dvalishvili applies. The champion himself also reflected on their fight, saying,

If my title fight was three rounds, I guess I was gonna lose because they gave him the first two rounds, to Umar.

This admission underscored how the full-length title fight format ultimately favored Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and stamina.

Insights from Nurmagomedov’s Comments on Dvalishvili’s Strength and Cardio

In an interview on Adam Zubayraev’s talk show, Nurmagomedov explicitly predicted that Dvalishvili would maintain his championship status by the end of 2025. He qualified this prediction by stating the only realistic threat to Dvalishvili’s title would be a significant knockout, possibly from an opponent like Sean O’Malley. Nurmagomedov reflected,

If there’s no crazy knockout or something, like, unless O’Malley lands a huge shot and knocks Merab out…

However, this scenario did not occur, as Dvalishvili again defeated O’Malley at UFC 316 via a third-round submission now known as the “Machine Choke.”

Describing Dvalishvili’s fighting style, Nurmagomedov, often called the “Young Eagle,” illustrated the Georgian’s toughness:

But I’ve hit Merab clean myself. He didn’t even flinch. Tough guy. I feel like he’s really hard to knock out. So, yeah. I think Merab might be the one. If he doesn’t retire before the rematch, he might become champion. Because he’s got cardio for days, and that kind of raw power. He’s just got brute strength. He wrestles with pure pressure. He doesn’t even need to hold you. It’s not like he’s got advanced grappling skills or anything. No control, no submissions. He can’t even hold people down properly. He just overwhelms them.

Nurmagomedov’s assessment emphasizes Dvalishvili’s raw physicality and relentless intensity rather than technical finesse, highlighting the grinding pressure that frustrates opponents.

This assessment proved accurate, as Dvalishvili not only escaped knockout risk but also secured a submission victory faster than expected, proving he is more than capable of finishing fights early. This outcome supports Nurmagomedov’s earlier statements and further fuels speculation about a possible rematch between these two bantamweight contenders.

Nurmagomedov’s Reflections on Their UFC 311 Encounter and Future Rematch Prospects

Despite his loss, Nurmagomedov has not retreated from the notion that his broken hand was a significant factor in the UFC 311 outcome. He clearly expressed his desire for a rematch to prove that the fight might have unfolded differently without the injury. He said,

I want that rematch. I want to prove that my broken hand was a factor, that it could’ve ended differently, that the outcome might have been completely different. But, even if we don’t meet again, if he retires or something, inshallah, I still plan to become UFC champion.

This shows not only his resolve but also his emotional detachment from the rematch’s necessity, framing his championship ambitions as independent of that singular event.

Nurmagomedov further put Dvalishvili’s dominance into perspective by comparing it with other UFC bouts. He claimed that while Dvalishvili won key moments, he did not dominate their fight to the extent that others might suggest. He clarified,

It’s not like he dominated me in that fight. He had takedowns, but he couldn’t really hold me down… When Belal Muhammad beat Leon Edwards, that was domination. He beat him up, he really mauled him. That fight, you could call domination. But, not my fight. Mine wasn’t like that at all.

This viewpoint challenges the narrative of complete control by Dvalishvili in their bout and keeps the door open for Nurmagomedov’s eventual return.

Future Directions for Bantamweight Division and Potential Rematches

Currently, Dvalishvili is basking in the aftermath of his significant victory at UFC 316, but his next challenger remains undecided. Rumors within the MMA community suggest a possible clash with Cory Sandhagen, positioning him as a formidable next contender. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov remains a prominent and viable option for a title rematch, with fans and analysts eager to see whether he can reverse his earlier loss and dethrone “The Machine.”

The bantamweight division appears poised for intense competition as 2025 progresses, with Nurmagomedov’s prediction on Merab Dvalishvili’s continued hold on the belt adding another layer of intrigue. Whether ‘Young Eagle’ can overcome the champion’s relentless pressure and endurance remains a question only time will answer, but the stakes for both fighters are exceptionally high.