The rivalry between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov is quickly becoming one of the most intense storylines in the UFC’s bantamweight division. What started as competitive banter has evolved into something personal. The two fighters have traded verbal shots leading up to the fight which has made the battle even more interesting. Things have now taken a surprising turn since Dvalishvili revealed he was denied access to the UFC Performance Institute. Nurmagomedov, known for his calm demeanor, hasn’t shied away from the war of words, maintaining that his skills will speak loudest when the two meet in the Octagon.

For Merab Dvalishvili, this fight is about solidifying his place at the top, while Umar Nurmagomedov aims to keep his undefeated record intact and capture UFC gold. The clash of styles, personalities, and now personal animosity promises to deliver fireworks when the cage door closes. However, coach Mendez feels Merab’s supposed animosity was all about selling the fight. While he does believe that the champion will be the toughest challenger for them to date, it was a good build-up nonetheless, feels Mendez.

During his podcast, he said, “Merab, to me, is our greatest challenge and he’s a great fighter. But what’s going on behind the scenes, I don’t know, it doesn’t make sense. I had my conspiracy theory that he’s trying to build the fight bigger than it would initially be, and so he’s a genius. Because if you look at Merab’s videos, they are very thought out. He does some really cool a** videos.”  The tension between the two fighters is reaching its peak as their showdown in the Octagon draws closer. In an interesting twist, ‘Young Eagle’ has issued a warning to the reigning bantamweight champion ahead of their upcoming battle, setting the stage for an intense clash long before the first punch is thrown.

However, one just cannot look past the challenge of Dvalishvili. The Georgian fighter is, without a doubt, one of the best in the business. He is known for his outstanding cardio and relentless pressure inside the Octagon. Since the time the fight was announced, experts and former fighters have started picking their favorite. This time former UFC dual champion Daniel Cormier also came forward with his pick.

Merab Dvalishvili gets the backing of Daniel Cormier before UFC 311

Umar Nurmagomedov stands on the brink of capturing the bantamweight title, but to do so, he must overcome the current champion, Merab Dvalishvili. Their rivalry, which had already been brewing, intensified after a heated exchange at the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference, adding even more fuel to the fire ahead of their highly anticipated clash. The tension between the two was already brewing, fueled by rumors that ‘The Machine’ had been avoiding a fight with the Dagestani contender. Dvalishvili didn’t hold back, claiming that Umar hadn’t earned his shot at the title and suggesting that his connection to Khabib played a role in securing the opportunity.

The bad blood boiled over at the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference, where a heated exchange nearly erupted into chaos.  Now, Daniel Cormier feels ‘The Machine’ might just come out on top during their clash. Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier joined a panel of analysts to break down the co-main event of the first pay-per-view event of 2025. He said, “Merab Dvalishvili is an absolute monster. His name is ‘The Machine’ and he is a machine. And I tell you this much he is tough for anyone. Because of his pace, his pressure, his cardio, and his ability to spam takedowns, he just likes to spam takedowns.” 

With both fighters bringing strong wrestling pedigrees, this bout has the potential to be a five-round grappling showcase for the fans. Who do you think will come out on top, Umar Nurmagomedov or the champion Merab Dvalishvili? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.