Merab
Dvalishvili didn’t rejoice in Umar
Nurmagomedov’s knockout loss despite their rivalry.
Nurmagomedov took on Yadong Song
in a pivotal bantamweight clash in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship in Shanghai, China, in August.
The latter perfectly timed an uppercut to knock Nurmagomedov out
cold, marking the first stoppage defeat of the Dagestani’s
professional career.
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Dvalishvili praises Yadong Song and eyes a future fight after
the UFC Shanghai upset
While Dvalishvili (21-5) has always been vocal about his dislike
for Nurmagomedov (20-2), he claims he wasn’t happy to see his
former foe get knocked out so viciously at
UFC Shanghai. However, the former champ was happy for Song and
is excited by a future matchup with the Chinese 135-pounder.
“Song Yadong’s performance was impressive,” Dvalishvili said in a
recent interview. “I always know that guy is dangerous. When I see
Umar lose that way, I was not happy because I never wish somebody
to lose or get KO’d like this. I was not happy, but I was excited
for Song Yadong because he is the new contender now.”
Dvalishvili will look to reclaim the bantamweight title in a
trilogy bout against Petr Yan at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. “The Machine”
wants to fight Song next if he gets past Yan.
“New blood, I never fought him,” Dvalishvili added. “He excites me
because he has knockout power. God willing, I beat Petr; I think
Song Yadong will be my next opponent because we have never
fought.”
Dvalishvili’s bitterness against Nurmagomedov started ahead of his
first title defense last year. He was initially unwilling to defend
his title against Nurmagomedov, accusing the Dagestani of being
fast-tracked to a title shot because he’s UFC Hall of Famer
Khabib
Nurmagomedov’s cousin.
Dvalishvili eventually fought Umar and handed him his first
professional loss while successfully defending the bantamweight
title. The Georgian defended his title two more times before losing
it to Yan (20-5) this past December.