UFC 311 is shaping up to be one of the greatest PPV events of all time, delivering highly anticipated fan-demanded matchups. The main event features Islam Makhachev taking on Arman Tsarukyan, while the co-main event showcases a bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov. However, UFC star Aljamain Sterling has criticized the decision to book the bantamweight title fight on short notice.
Tensions boiled over between Merab Dvalishvili and Usman Nurmagomedov at the UFC 311 press conference, following a heated backstage argument. Dvalishvili didn’t hold back, questioning Nurmagomedov’s legitimacy as a title contender due to his lack of wins over top opponents. Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling voiced his concerns about the rushed timeline for Dvalishvili’s title defense during The Ariel Helwani Show. In the interview, ‘Aljo’ said,
“[Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov] is being made on six weeks notice. Maybe six-and-a-half. For a title fight? I understand having to do that if you’re a challenger, but as the champion, you shouldn’t be relegated to those type of stipulations. It’s just not right. Then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth as in, ‘Why did I work so hard to get this position to call the shots or some of the shots’? And you’re not even getting a fair shake in it.”
"Let's be honest, [Merab x Umar] is being made on 6 weeks notice, maybe 6 1/2. For a title fight? I understand having to do that if you're a challenger, but as a champion, you shouldn't be relegated to those type of stipulations."
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 17, 2024
Aljo on Merab fighting Umar at UFC 311. pic.twitter.com/WoO83aa4yZ
With the fight now officially booked, ‘The Machine’ is ready to defend his title. However, the Georgian fighter remains upset with ‘The Young Eagle’ over his unwarranted social media callouts.
Merab Dvalishvili Demands Apology From Umar Nurmagomedov
Dvalishvili has warned Umar Nurmagomedov that if he doesn’t apologize after their UFC 311 fight, he’ll go to Dagestan to confront him. The tension between the two was evident during last weekend’s press conference. In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Dvalishvili expressed his frustration over Umar’s online trash talk, saying:
“He [Nurmagomedov] may get slapped after the fight. Because the fighting [inside the cage] not a real fight, it’s a sport. Yeah, if Umar doesn’t apologize [to] me, it’s going to happen. Even if I have to go to Dagestan, I will go. Hey! I love Dagestan and I’ve got so many friends in Dagestan and I respect Dagestan people.”
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Merab says that if Umar doesn’t apologize to him after their fight, he may go to Dagestan to confront him 😳
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 10, 2024
“He may get a slap after the fight… even if I have to go to Dagestan, I will go.”
🎥 @arielhelwani #UFC311 #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/zFI2HzXynL
The Georgian fighter also emphasized that the Dagestani people are good, but he believes ‘The Young Eagle’ made a big mistake. Dvalishvili stated that Umar will have to face the consequences. This escalating trash talk is adding to the hype, setting the stage for a top-tier PPV event.
Also Read: Khabib Nurmagomedov Worried As Islam Makhachev And Umar’s UFC Title Fights Land On Same Night
