Merab Dvalishvili overcame significant personal challenges, including a broken back and leg injuries, to defeat Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, expressing readiness for future fights despite past difficulties.
Merab Dvalishvili had his fair share of troubles heading into UFC 311. Despite this, he pulled off an impressive decision win against the previously undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event on Saturday.
During their post-fight interviews, both fighters touched on their injuries. Nurmagomedov mentioned a possible broken left hand from Round 1, but Dvalishvili was cut short by Joe Rogan before he could delve into his own issues.
At the post-fight press conference, when asked about Nurmagomedov’s injury, Dvalishvili revealed he faced much worse leading up to the fight. “I broke my back in training camp,” he confessed. Some days were so bad he couldn’t even get out of bed.
He also noted the lack of resources during his recovery. “I didn’t have a Khabib to help me train,” he said. The Performance Institute was often closed due to holidays and weekends, making training difficult.
Dvalishvili wasn’t making excuses, though. “You’re a f*cking fighter,” he stated. Fighters must find ways to win despite adversities. He respected Nurmagomedov but questioned who ended up with the broken hand.
The injuries didn’t seem to hold them back much. Dvalishvili maintained his relentless pace, eventually overwhelming Nurmagomedov with thrilling exchanges both standing and on the ground.
But it wasn’t just his back causing trouble; Dvalishvili also dealt with a leg cut that plagued him until midway through UFC 311 fight week. “In November, I got big cuts on my leg,” he shared. It took forever to heal and got infected, making training painful.
Despite being bedridden and depressed at times, Dvalishvili refused to pull out of the fight. “Umar was talking trash,” he recalled. But backing out wasn’t an option for him.
After successfully defending his title for the first time, Dvalishvili joked about being ready to fight again next week if needed. However, he might need some rest after this grueling defense.
Having taken down one of the division’s boogeymen and several legends already, what’s next for him is uncertain. Yet, he’s ready for whatever challenge comes his way.
“I want to fight the best guys in the division,” Dvalishvili declared. He’s excited by the next challenge and sees Sean O’Malley as a potential opponent—acknowledging O’Malley’s knockout power.
“But I’m a champion now,” he concluded. It’s up to others to call him out, and he’s prepared to return quickly whenever the UFC wants him back.