With a strong wrestling performance leading to a win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, Merab Dvalishvili is now the bantamweight champion. However, questions arise regarding his ability to defend the title against top contender Umar Nurmagomedov.
Following Dvalishvili’s victory over O’Malley, SportsBetting.ag set odds for a potential matchup between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov. UFC CEO Dana White has designated Nurmagomedov as the next challenger, with Umar being favored at -200 to defeat Merab, who was considered the underdog at +170.
Despite Dvalishvili’s strong performances, Nurmagomedov’s undefeated 6-0 UFC record and fighting background pose a tough challenge that could counter Merab’s wrestling strengths.
There appears to be some hesitation from Dvalishvili about facing Umar in his next bout. When asked about a potential fight with Nurmagomedov by Joe Rogan, Dvalishvili seemed unsure about accepting the match. While he seemed more composed at the press conference, his reluctance to face Nurmagomedov remained evident.
Merab seems to prefer facing high-ranked opponents like former champion Deiveson Figueiredo, highlighting the threat posed by fighters with striking skills and advanced jiu-jitsu. He suggested that Nurmagomedov should fight Petr Yan before getting a title shot.
Despite his concerns, Merab respects the UFC’s decisions and is open to fighting whoever they select as his next opponent. He also expressed his interest in strengthening his relationship with Dana White.
