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Merab Dvalishvili showcased his relentless spirit and unmatched conditioning in a five-round war against Umar Nurmagomedov to retain his bantamweight title at UFC 311. Entering the fight as the underdog, Dvalishvili defied the odds with a masterclass in endurance and strategy, earning a unanimous decision victory with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. The Georgian champion's relentless pressure and timely takedowns were key to outworking the younger challenger.
“You guys know. You know I’m training all the time. I am the machine,” Dvalishvili declared post-fight, highlighting his dedication and resilience.
Despite entering the octagon with a leg infection and a lower back injury, he delivered a performance befitting a champion. The fight opened with Nurmagomedov showcasing sharp striking, connecting with stiff punches and even staggering Dvalishvili with a powerful right hand in the first round.
By the second round, Nurmagomedov began controlling exchanges, landing clean jabs that bloodied Dvalishvili’s nose. However, the champion's grit shone through as he withstood the damage and steadily ramped up his pace.
Dvalishvili’s trademark relentless pressure came to the forefront in the third round. He landed takedowns and turned the bout into a grueling wrestling match, frustrating Nurmagomedov. As the rounds progressed, the challenger’s conditioning began to wane, while Dvalishvili’s unyielding pace left Nurmagomedov struggling to keep up.
By the final round, Dvalishvili had solidified his dominance, connecting with heavy strikes and landing another decisive takedown just before the horn. Nurmagomedov, visibly exhausted, argued post-fight that he believed he had won, but he also acknowledged needing to review the bout.
“I think first round I won, the others were close,” Nurmagomedov remarked. “I don’t think I lose this fight. After the first round, I can’t punch because I think I broke my hand... I need to watch this video of my fight.”
Despite the loss, Nurmagomedov displayed remarkable skill in his title challenge. However, it was Dvalishvili’s tenacity and championship mindset that ultimately secured his victory, reaffirming his position as the king of the bantamweight division.