UFC fighter Umar Nurmagomedov is calling out Merab Dvalishvili for allegedly stalling on a highly anticipated title fight. After Merab’s recent victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, which earned him the bantamweight title, Nurmagomedov is widely considered a prime contender for the belt. But with other major events like UFC 308, UFC 309, and UFC 310 already locked in, Umar suspects his chance to fight for the title may not come until early 2025.
Nurmagomedov isn’t buying the delay, however. He claims Dvalishvili is avoiding him and is outspoken in his frustration. In a recent interview, Umar explained that Merab has been vocal about his doubts over Umar’s worthiness, an argument Umar sees as a flimsy excuse. “He won’t even mention my name and says I’m not worthy,” Umar shared. “If UFC asked him to fight me or someone else, I know he’d avoid me every time.”
The timing of the fight has become a sticking point. Merab’s camp has reportedly suggested a fight in March—directly coinciding with Ramadan, which takes place from February 28 to March 29 in 2025. As a devout Muslim, Umar and other Muslim fighters generally avoid fights during Ramadan due to the physical demands of fasting and spiritual commitments. Umar is now urging UFC officials to set an earlier date, ideally in January, to allow him to participate without conflicts.
As a highly skilled fighter with an impressive balance of striking and wrestling techniques, Umar has positioned himself as a formidable opponent in the bantamweight division. He’s confident that his versatile fighting style could be the toughest test yet for Merab, who dominated O’Malley without much resistance.
“I don’t get it. Why would a champion avoid a challenge?” Umar questioned, adding that he’s eager to fight even before Ramadan. “I want to keep my momentum. Let’s do it in January or early February—I’m ready now.”
Fans are now rallying to see UFC make the match happen. The prospect of a Nurmagomedov-Dvalishvili fight has captured widespread attention as Umar continues to press for his shot. Should he succeed, the title fight could become one of the most anticipated matchups in the UFC bantamweight history, showcasing Nurmagomedov’s skill set against one of the division’s toughest champions.
