UFC’s rising star Umar Nurmagomedov has his sights set on Merab Dvalishvili, the current title contender, as his next opponent inside the Octagon. After witnessing Dvalishvili’s impressive victory over Petr Yan at UFC Fight Night 221, the Dagestani fighter has been determined to face “The Machine” to further his career. Nurmagomedov believes that defeating Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen could potentially earn him a shot at the title. As the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, he aims to take advantage of the current turmoil in the stacked bantamweight division. While the top-ranked bantamweight is hesitant to fight the champion, “Young Eagle” remains confident that he can secure a fight against him.
Notably, the 27-year-old, who racked up an impressive 4-0 record in the promotion since his debut two years back, took to Twitter to issue a challenge to the Tbilisi native. While he acknowledged and wished him a speedy recovery, he also hoped to share the ring with him in June or July.
Umar Nurmagomedov calls out Merab Dvalishvili for the main event bout
The #11 ranked bantamweight requested UFC President Dana White to offer him a main event on May 13 card, the details of which are yet to be worked out.
Thus, he wrote, “ufc @danawhite offer me main event, May 13 I accept against Merab he have injury I wish him a speedy recovery, but I’m waiting to share the cage with him June or July”
Markedly, Dvalishvili suffered a hand injury two weeks before his fight against ‘No Mercy’. While he kept the details of the injury hidden, he fought with one hand. The Serra-Longo Fight Team representative recently disclosed he reinjured his hand during the fight.
Moreover, he is expected to fight Cory Sandhagen soon, as evidenced by the recent interaction between the two. Thus, effectively derailing the former combat sambo champion’s ambition.
How did the fans react to Nurmagomedov’s call out?
While some fans advised him not to take a shortcut, others drew a parallel akin to Sean O’Malley. Also, a section of fans urged him to fight a ranked opponent.
Wow Merab is throwing his career away man. Sad
— Honest UFC Analyst (@UfcHonest) March 27, 2023
https://twitter.com/214poundsVolk/status/1640309844962947073?s=20
I saw that coming a mile away. He don't want to fight his friend Now he will be punished. It's the ufc way. Belal won't fight gilbert so he gets shavkat
— Gary Go (@garyfloorguy1) March 27, 2023
Give him a fight Dana, bro is hungry.
— Adnan 🦅 (@Adnan_S2000) March 27, 2023
bro, you are #11
— Nikolozz MMA 🇬🇪 (@mma_nikolozz) March 27, 2023
Fight somone ranked first😭
— Hoel (@JoelJ00) March 27, 2023
People complaining about umar getting merab had absolutely no problem with O’Malley getting #1 Yan when he had no ranked wins
— Blowkonijn (@Blowkonijn1) March 27, 2023
Bruh, fight your way up the rankings and stop looking for a shortcut to the top
— MurderOnCyrilGanesFloor (@MrdrnCyrlGnsFlr) March 27, 2023
Get in line Cory called merab out first and accepted.
— Loyal🥷🏾 (@JaysmokesZa) March 27, 2023
The American Kickboxing Academy team product is coming off a KO win against Raoni Barcelos in January 2023.
What do you think of this call-out by UFC star Umar Nurmagomedov to Merab Dvalishvili? Do you believe a probable fight between the two is on the table? Let us know in the comments below.
