UFC 311 is becoming one of the biggest events of 2025, and the co-main event is adding even more excitement. Merab Dvalishvili will defend his title against Umar Nurmagomedov, and the hype is growing due to the intense pre-fight trash talk from both fighters. Recently, Umar made a bold statement ahead of his title fight, further fueling the anticipation.
‘The Young Eagle’ is confident ahead of his upcoming title fight, stating that the bantamweight champion won’t be able to defeat him. He believes that while Dvalishvili may be able to take him down once, he won’t be able to hold him there. Nurmagomedov adds that Dvalishvili will need to punch him, but he won’t be able to do so the way he has in previous fights. In the recent UFC, the title challenger said,
“Okay, maybe he’ll take me down once, but he has to hold me there. He can’t….Don’t forget—I can wrestle too. I can [also] finish you [on the ground]. If you give me your back, I’m going to choke you. Be careful.”
Umar Nurmagomedov can’t imagine Merab beating him at #UFC311:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 1, 2025
“I can’t imagine how he will beat me… I can wrestle too. Don’t forget about that…
If he will give me his back, I’m gonna choke you. Be careful.” 😳
🎥 @ufc #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/74YWaYNazs
Umar Nurmagomedov points out that he’s also a skilled wrestler and can finish the fight, making it a tough challenge for Dvalishvili. While he admitted anything can happen in a fight, Nurmagomedov feels the situation is even more challenging for the bantamweight champion.
Merab Dvalishvili Sets Sights On Dominant Finish In Title Defense Against Umar Nurmagomedov
With UFC 311 fast approaching, the rivalry between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov continues to escalate. Tensions were high at the press conference, and Dvalishvili was recently denied entry to the UFC PI due to Nurmagomedov’s presence. As the fight draws nearer, Dvalishvili stays focused, calling it his toughest challenge yet and promising to finish his opponent. Dvalishvili expressed his intent, saying,
“It’s going to be a tough fight, a good fight. Of course, I’ll be looking for a finish… it’s Umar Nurmagomedov, so [any] win against him—I’ll take it, doesn’t matter.”
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👀💪Merab Dvalishvili on fighting Umar Nurmagomedov:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 28, 2024
“It’s going to be a tough fight, a good fight. Of course, I’ll be looking for a finish… it’s Umar Nurmagomedov, so [any] win against him—I’ll take it, doesn’t matter.”
🎥 @ufc ▫️ pic.twitter.com/8d6yKFanQO
This fight has generated so much hype that many fans are more excited about the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov clash than the main event between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. While both fights are highly anticipated, fans can expect to witness one of the top matchups early in 2025.