UFC 311 wasn’t an ideal return date for Merab Dvalishvili, but he doesn’t expect it to be an issue.
Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) defends his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome.
Merab Dvalishvili was hoping to take a bit more time off before booking his first title defense but ultimately accepted the January date. “The Machine” revealed that he had some obstacles during training camp.
Pues por lo visto estás heridas son de hace al menos un mes y todavía pinta feo, no sé como se habrá hecho eso pero no es lo mejor para preparar una pelea tan importante, mis respetos para Merab, el tipo siempre es un guerrero, le da igual todo #UFC311 https://t.co/1FmwDSRp1o pic.twitter.com/FwqNEmUtRc
— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) January 16, 2025
“Originally I wanted to come back in March after six months, especially after my title fight first time, and I wanted to enjoy it,” Dvalishvili said Wednesday at UFC 311 media day.
“I was in Vegas because Aljo (Sterling) was fighting Movsar Evloev and training, and I was always dealing with some injuries. 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.”
Merab Dvalishvili clarified that the injuries he was dealing with in preparation won’t impact the fight.
“Not the fight, it was affecting my training,” Dvalishvili said. “I will post it after the fight, but training was difficult because of this injury. But I’m good. I’m ready now. It’s all good.”