Tensions were running high between UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov ahead of the first UFC 311 press conference.
After weeks of dodging accusations and online chatter, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his first bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC 311 co-main event next month. The card is headlined by a UFC lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan.
Nurmagomedov was immediately named the 'next man up' to face Dvalishvili following the latter's title win at UFC 306. The undefeated Nurmagomedov was briefly linked to another fight in December when Dvalishvili expressed his indifference towards the up-and-coming competitor.
The relationship between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov was strictly competitive just a few months ago, but things have taken a dark turn in recent weeks. Threats swirl between the two bantamweights; adding to the immense hype following the UFC 311 fight announcements this week.
Ahead of Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov's first promotional appearance for UFC 311, the two bantamweights came close just weeks before their scheduled fight before security personnel intervened.
Photos by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov nearly threw their hands backstage before UFC 311 presser
As you can see in the clip below, Dvalishvili was in the middle of an interview with an MMA media member when Nurmagomedov confronted the defending bantamweight champion. The two fighters exchanged fiery verbal taunts, including Nurmagomedov daring Dvalishvili to “call him” for a possible face-to-face meeting outside the venue.
Fortunately, cooler heads eventually prevailed and UFC security quickly de-escalated the incident. The UFC 311 press conference went ahead as planned, despite Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov nearly colliding backstage.
The feud between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov has escalated in recent days after Dvalishvili appeared to offer Petr Yan a title shot following a victory at UFC Macau. Nurmagomedov went on a social media tirade in response, further fanning the flames of their antagonistic duo.
Dvalishvili also accused Nurmagomedov of lying to fans about a rumored fight against Song Yadong. Initially, Nurmagomedov offered to be scheduled for another fight if Dvalishvili expected a modest absence from the competition.
Merab Dvalishvil vs. Umar Nurmagomedov is a candidate for 'Fight of the Year' in early 2025
Dvalishvili's teammate, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, has also been involved in banter with Nurmagomedov in recent weeks about dodging charges. Sterling will face Movsar Evloev in a pivotal featherweight bout this Saturday at UFC 310.
Things between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov have become so personal that Dvalishvili briefly hinted at defending the title during Ramadan, which had a direct impact on Nurmagomedov's title chances. But their UFC 311 booking put to rest any concerns that the fight wouldn't come to fruition anytime soon.
Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov pairs two of the best UFC pound-for-pound fighters against each other to kick off 2025. Dvalishvili won the title by defeating Sean O'Malley at UFC 306, while Nurmagomedov cemented himself as the No. 1 contender by defeating Cory Sandhagen earlier this year.
It won't be long before Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov meet in the Octagon. But in the meantime, the two rivals could potentially get the fight started early, just weeks before UFC 311.
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