Dvalishvili defending title at UFC 311 despite injuries: 'I will step up'
Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili insists he's ready to defend his title against Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC 311 co-main event Saturday despite dealing with some undisclosed injuries.
Dvalishvili revealed that lingering ailments are mainly responsible for his request to delay his much-anticipated fight until March. He opted to compromise after Nurmagomedov advocated for the fight to happen ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The Georgian-born fighter will make his first title defense since defeating Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision and capturing the belt at UFC 306 in September.
"I wanted to enjoy it. And I was in Vegas because (Aljamain Sterling) was fighting Movsar Evloev and training, and I was always dealing with some injuries," Dvalishvili said, according to MMA Fighting's Damon Martin.
Dvalishvili added: "But once I hear the UFC needs me, I stepped up and Dana (White) said, 'Yes.' I go to the office and I said, 'OK, I will step up. I'm a company man. Let's do it.'"
The 135-pound division champion didn't reveal the extent of his ailment but insisted it won't hinder him when he stands across from his Russian opponent Saturday night in the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
"It was affecting my training," Dvalishvili said when asked about his injury. "I will post it after the fight but training was difficult because of this injury. But I'm good. I'm ready now."
The UFC champion has been adamant that Nurmagomedov (18-0) doesn't deserve a title opportunity after six matches in the promotion. The 29-year-old defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision in his most recent bout in August.
The bantamweight champion confronted his UFC 311 opponent backstage at a news conference last month, questioning why Nurmagomedov disrespected him as the pair were preparing to square off in 2025.
At UFC 311 media day Wednesday, Nurmagomedov described Dvalishvili as "too sensitive."
"I'm not his son. He can't ask me like father and son, 'Why do you do this?' He's not my father. Of course, I want to tell him because what can you do?" Nurmagomedov said, according to MMA Fighting's Martin.