Dvalishvili delaying title bout exhibits he’s ‘scared’

Umar Nurmagomedov is satisfied Merab Dvalishvili is ducking him.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) claimed the No. 1 contender spot when he defeated Cory Sandhagen in his first UFC headliner in August. One month later, Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) dethroned Sean O’Malley to turn into bantamweight champion at UFC 306.

Dvalishvili has been dismissing Nurmagomedov as a rightful contender since previous to even successful the title. Nurmagomedov thinks Dvalishvili refusing to acknowledge him is just not a superb look, and claims Dvalishvili is purposely making an attempt to push for March – the place Nurmagomedov received’t compete due to Ramadan.

“Merab is making an attempt to keep away from my title, making an attempt to inform me that I don’t deserve (a title shot),” Nurmagomedov advised Kevin Iole. “Even when the UFC will ask him to battle me or another person, I feel he’ll select another person 100 occasions. He’s enjoying video games. They know that I cannot battle in Ramadan they usually’re telling us we’re going to battle in March. March is all Ramadan.

“It’s trying very unhealthy. It’s trying like he’s making an attempt to keep away from (me), like he’s scared. I don’t perceive how the champion is making an attempt to keep away from, but when they received’t battle with me, I don’t need to wait. Summer time: June, July, Might – I need to battle now. I need to battle after two months, earlier than Ramadan, and I need to be energetic, and we’ll see what’s going to occur.”

Nurmagomedov’s endurance is operating skinny. He has already opted to stay energetic by reserving a grappling match Oct. 25 at ADXC 7, and is even considering taking one other battle if Dvalishvili received’t battle him earlier than Ramadan.

“I need to be energetic, and I need to battle earlier than Ramadan,” Nurmagomedov stated. “Possibly January or December it’s going to be a superb time for me after which after Ramadan, we’ll see. Possibly Merab fights another person and possibly he’ll lose, who is aware of.”

Nurmagomedov says he knew Dvalishvili would win the title if O’Malley couldn’t catch him.

“They’re each not excellent,” Nurmagomedov stated. “O’Malley’s a bum in MMA. He doesn’t have any grappling. He doesn’t have any wrestling, and he didn’t even attempt to battle him. He’s simply ready, he’s simply operating and he fights like a bum. Merab – he’s good. With Merab, it’s a must to go forward and battle. You may’t beat him if you’re operating from him.”