Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced several big fights for UFC 311, including title fights between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, and Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov.
With that, the promotion announced that a special press conference would take place last Friday, with Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov all taking the stage.
Since Dvalishvili won the title last September, he and the undefeated Nurmagomedov have gone back and forth online anticipating their bantamweight title fight.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Merab Dvalishvili throws hilarious Jacuzzi jibe at Nurmagomedov's team
Ahead of their clash at UFC 311 in California on Jan. 18, the two continued the theme of getting extremely excited as they traded verbal jabs on stage.
Fortunately for Nurmagomedov, he had the support of his teammate Makhachev, who seemingly treated his opponent Tsarukyan with respect.
However, 'The Machine' attempted to drag Makhachev into his feud with the 28-year-old by bringing up a historic photo that surfaced online and which Team Khabib has been teasing ever since.
The lightweight champion was asked by a reporter what his best moment with Umar was, to which Makhachev replied: “The same night we fight for the title, that's the best moment.”
“How about the jacuzzi?” Dvalishvili replied hilariously.
“You can come,” Makhachev told the bantamweight champion.
“I wasn't there, and you have to talk about your fight, not about anything else. Focus on your fight, Merab,” Nurmagomedov said.
“I just want to say one thing: I have nothing for you Merab, only respect, don't make the belt look bad, you know, if you have a real competitor, just fight,” Makhachev told Merab.
The “Jacuzzi” moment Dvalishvili talks about is from several years ago, when Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev and several other members of their team shared a Jacuzzi.
Backstage, things get heated between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov
After more than 30 minutes of back and forth on the press conference stage, the two were then confronted by Dana White, who opted for extremely heavy security and didn't let them get close to each other.
As the fighters were sent backstage after the press conference, 'The Machine' and Nurmagomedov continued to try to catch each other, with the champion claiming he would call him to meet him on the street.
“I'm in Vegas, call me. Always,” Nurmagomedov shouted at Dvalishvili as the two were kept separated by several guards.
“Come here, I'm here now,” Dvalishvili replied.
“There is a lot of security here. Call me, we will see,” said the Russian candidate.
“Okay, I'll call you,” Dvalishvili said, seemingly accepting his offer.
One person who will be in attendance at the UFC 311 co-main event is former champion Sean O'Malley, as 'Suga' recently claimed he will be there to find out who he fights next for the title.
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