Umar Nurmagomedov needs Merab Dvalishvili to again up his phrases earlier than UFC 311.
As battle week for the primary numbered occasion of the yr looms, Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) proceed to indicate indicators of friction going into the Jan. 18 bantamweight title bout at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).
Dvalishvili begrudgingly accepted the undefeated Nurmagomedov as his first challenger after claiming the belt from Sean O’Malley in September, however he has made it no secret that he thinks it’s undeserved and solely a product of household lineage. Even this week, Dvalishvili dubbed Nurmagomedov as “a spoiled little child” and vowed handy him his first loss.
For Nurmagomedov, none of it’s private, and he’s not seeking to get petty with any trade of phrases.
“Lots of people world wide can simply discuss,” Nurmagomedov informed MMA Junkie on Thursday. “For me, I simply wish to take his belt, and if this man have one thing (dangerous) with me personally, he’ll should do one thing. I’ll shut all questions within the cage, and after that, we’ll see what he’s going to do.”
The phrases did fly in a quick and livid method the final time the champ and challenger shared the identical bodily area. They have been restrained backstage previous to a promotional on-sale press convention in December, then had lots to say to one another on stage.
Nurmagomedov, 29, will share a platform with Dvalishvili, 33, once more roughly 48 hours previous to the occasion at Thursday’s pre-fight press convention. He’s unsure what sort of response that may deliver, however Dvalishvili spent a lot of the primary encounter claiming Nurmagomedov was unworthy and had talked down on him and his nation.
If Dvalishvili chooses to go down that highway once more, then Nurmagomedov dares him to deliver proof to assist any and all claims.
“What he’s speaking, I feel he’ll (attempt to) show it,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “When he’s speaking (about) I’m disrespecting his nation, I need him to indicate. Not simply discuss. If you happen to’re speaking one thing, please present it.”
Regardless of how a lot speaking or lack there of occurs earlier than battle evening, Nurmagomedov, No. 5 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings, mentioned nothing goes to alter what he thinks is an inevitable final result for No. 1-ranked Dvalishvili at UFC 311.
“In a battle, something can occur,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “I can’t inform you, ‘This isn’t going to occur, by no means, ever.’ However this man is not going to beat me. By no means, ever. I can inform you this one. I don’t find out about takedowns or one thing else, however he will probably be by no means beat me. He don’t have abilities to beat me.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 311.
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