Whereas tensions have been rising between Umar
Nurmagomedov and Merab
Dvalishvili forward of their UFC 311
bout, the No. 1 contender doesn’t consider he has ever disrespected
the reigning bantamweight champion.
“It’s a bit bit emotional,” Nurmagomedov stated in an interview
with the UFC. “I don’t suppose he’s an offended individual. I don’t suppose
he’s a foul individual. I actually don’t know what he’s speaking
disrespect … I discuss in regards to the battle. I stated, Hey Merab, your title
is awaiting me. You don’t point out my identify. It seems insane.
All people talked about that, not simply me. Once they pushed him to
battle…and he doesn’t say nothing.”
Dvalishvili initially was reluctant to face Nurmagomedov as a result of he
felt the Dagestani hadn’t completed sufficient to earn the title shot. He
has since claimed that Nurmagomedov is
too “cocky” for his liking. In response to Nurmagomedov, there
may be an ulterior motive behind Dvalishvili’s preliminary
reluctance.
“I feel he simply needs to battle with an actual man he can beat. It
doesn’t imply I’m actually going to one hundred pc go contained in the cage and
smash him, no. He is aware of different guys, he’ll beat. With me, it’s
going to be arduous,” Nurmagomedov stated. “That’s why he’s making an attempt to be
a champion for a very long time, and he needs to battle with [Sean]
O’Malley, with Petr Yan, or
another person as a result of these guys, straightforward cash. Me, no. For me, he has
to go deep waters. With me it’s going to be an extended night time. I’ll
not give him takedowns. He is not going to management me.
“I’ve good expertise, putting expertise, and I could make for him so much
of issues. That’s why, however once we go contained in the cage, I cannot
suppose he’s terrified of me. I’ll know that it is a man who will
attempt to beat me, I’ll attempt to smash him, and it’s going to be a
battle. What I perceive is he doesn’t wish to take a dangerous battle.
He can beat me, it will probably occur. It’s not going to interrupt me. I’ll
be similar Umar. Battle is battle. All people can lose. …If we’re speaking
about scared, I simply suppose he doesn’t wish to take threat, arduous
battle.”
Though the contracts are signed, Nurmagomedov is not going to be
shocked if Dvalishvili withdraws from the battle between now and
Jan. 18.
“I cannot [be] shocked, and no one will [be] shocked,”
Nurmagomedov stated “Even proper now I noticed commentary or on Twitter
they stated he’ll pull out, however he by no means pulled out earlier than. I hope
he is not going to, and the battle goes to occur.”
