[autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] fired back [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag].
Dvalishvili stated that Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, is being pressured by the UFC due to his family name. He was offended by Nurmagomedov’s rapid rise up the bantamweight ladder, where he now finds himself as the No. 1 contender after just one ranked victory over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7.
Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) needed to beat former champions Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo before getting his title shot. However, Nurmagomedov argues that he is not the only fighter to jump up the rankings into title contention.
Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley went from a no contest against Pedro Munhoz to a split decision win over Petr Yan on his way to a title shot.
“Yan fought for the title after 6 wins. O’Malley after 4 wins. Merab could fight for the title with Aljo last year. You have to stop crying. You’re just scared that I’m going to take everything from you.”
Yan fought for the title after 6 wins
Omaley after 4 wins
Merab could fight for the title with Aljo last year.
You have to stop crying
You’re just scared that I’m going to take everything from you.-Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) August 6, 2024
Dvalishvili challenges bantamweight champion O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 306, September 14, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Nurmagomedov is expected to face the winner.
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Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili? Khabib chooses who he would like Umar Nurmagomedov to fight for the UFC title
Sean O’Malley: Defeating Umar Nurmagomedov is ‘a great way to get to’ Conor McGregor
Cory Sandhagen announces Umar Nurmagomedov as future champion after defeat at UFC on ABC 7: ‘He’s very good’
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ABC 7.
This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Umar Nurmagomedov responds to Merab Dvalishvili’s statement about UFC pressure: ‘You have to stop crying’
