Umar Nurmagomedov reveals Merab Dvalishvili feud has become personal: “For all Dagestan”

Umar Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili's feud doesn't seem to have an end, with each passing day bringing another headline to the ongoing rivalry as both continue to exchange war of words. 

Now Nurmagomedov has said the feud with Dvalishvili has become personal and that he wants to fight him after his scheduled fight with Song Yadong. 

Umar Nurmagomedov says feud with Merab Dvalishvili is now personal

Nurmagomedov faced Dvalishvili in his maiden UFC title shot at UFC 311. In the lead-up to the fight, the Georgian was on a stance that the Dagestani didn't deserve the title shot yet, as he was riding a six-fight win streak, and he also claimed that the ‘Young Eagle’ disrespected him. 

Throughout the build-up to their fight at UFC 311, they continued to take shots at each other. In the hard-fought battle, Nurmagomedov lost via unanimous decision. However, the bad blood between them continued after the fight. 

Another chapter was added to their rivalry when Dvalishvili was in Georgia for his wrestling match against Henry Cejudo. In the pre-match press conference, the Georgian was asked if he would be interested in facing Nurmagomedov in a RAF wrestling match. He dismissed the idea and called the Dagestani spoiled child with some heated words. 

Later, Nurmagomedov’s friend, Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov, confronted Dvalishvil, leading to the Georgian slapping him and an altercation breaking out. 

More recently, Nurmagomedov was asked by Mike Bohnt whether he feels he will fight the winner of Petr Yan vs. Dvalishvili, with the fight taking place at UFC 333 for Yan’s title. He has said he wants to fight Dvalishvili even if the Georgian doesn't have a title. He also emphasized that he needs to win his scheduled fight with Yadong first. 
 
“First of all, of course, I have to win this fight. And other way, anyway, I think I will fight with Merab. If he will win or if he will lose, you know,” Nurmagomedov said. “I think we're gonna fight.”

Bohn specifically brought up the altercation between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov's friend at the RAF event in Georgia and asked the Dagestani bantamweight whether the situation had made the rivalry personal.

Nurmagomedov did not hesitate in his response and asserted that it was not just for himself but for the whole of Dagestan; it has become personal.

“I think yes, already yes. Now it's personal, not for just for me. It's personal for all Dagestan.” Nurmagomedov responded. 

Check out Umar Nurmagomedov’s comments below:

Umar Nurmagomedov explains why a Merab Dvalishvili victory at UFC 333 suits him

In the above-mentioned video, Bohn then asked Nurmagomedov whether he would actually prefer Dvalishvili to defeat Petr Yan at UFC 333 so that he could potentially face the Georgian for the championship.

Nurmagomedov admitted that the scenario would be better for him. Saying, “It's gonna be better."