So, we were all geared up for some fireworks in the co-main event, right? But who could’ve guessed the “spoiled brat” would get a taste of his own medicine for ‘disrespecting’ the “old man”? UFC 311 had all the makings of a classic, but Merab Dvalishvili didn’t just settle for the bantamweight belt, he went for the Dagestan legacy. Beating Umar Nurmagomedov, handing him his first-ever career loss, and throwing a side-eye at Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Now that’s a main event masquerading as a co-main. Merab’s “Machine mode” wasn’t just about cardio this time. It was about theatrics too. The Georgian dynamo delivered on every level. Relentless pressure, record-breaking takedowns, and a few choice taunts at ‘The Eagle’ for good measure.

It was quite the spectacle to see ‘The Machine’ repeatedly talk to Khabib Nurmagomedov while toying with Umar, particularly in the championship rounds. It seemed like the Georgian had quite the chip on his shoulder, which was evident before the fight itself, but no one expected him to dominate the fight in the manner that he did, especially to a Nurmagomedov.

While Umar fought valiantly (broken hand and all), let’s face it, so did Merab. During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Merab took a moment to talk about his back issues, so much so that Rogan had to redirect him to focus on the victory. But the champ seemed more motivated somehow because he wasn’t there to just win. He was there to rub it in. And boy, did he in spectacular fashion. And the fans, being fans, had their own takes on the fight that had it all.

Did Merab Dvalishvili just turn the “boring” machine into a brilliant sledgehammer? Depends on who you ask

When Bruce Buffer’s booming voice announced the Georgian’s unanimous decision victory, the camera didn’t just catch the fighter’s celebration, it zeroed in on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s stunned face. Priceless. “Merab broke the Nurmagomedov name,” one fan declared online, summing up what a lot of people were thinking.

And let’s not pretend the bantamweight title holder didn’t milk the moment. He taunted Khabib mid-fight while ‘Young Eagle’ was struggling to take him down. “Taunting while your opponent is struggling to take you down is CRAZY WORK!!!” a fan points out, nailing the essence of Merab’s relentless energy.

To Umar Nurmagomedov’s credit, the guy fought with a broken hand. And by the championship rounds, his tank was running on fumes while the Georgian just kept coming, like a terminator with a sly grin. According to Team Merab, the game plan was to stay low in the first two rounds and let Umar exhaust himself. As apparent as it could be, the plan worked. Umar hit the wall, and Merab hit his stride.

Merab Dvalishvili‘s  fighting style has always been polarizing, and UFC 311 was no exception. Some fans quickly hailed him as an entertainer. “Merab’s style is widely considered ‘boring,’ but yet this man is one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC,” one fan tweeted. Others, however, couldn’t look past his tactics. “His taunting and antics are entertaining. Not so much his fighting style,” quipped another.

This wasn’t just about style points. Merab was out to make a statement, and he did, right at the expense of the Nurmagomedov dynasty. Sure, Umar’s hand injury was unfortunate, but as one fan so elegantly put it, “Look I love Khabib, but Merab destroyed Umar. Umar did very well the first two rounds, but then he got tired, which Merab tired him out, that’s a skill.”

And let’s not forget the drama of the takedown record. “Can’t cut the clip after he gives out some showmanship … ties GSP’s all-time takedown record in the 5th and then with just seconds left, beats the record with one more takedown. It was like a movie,” a fan gushed.

But not everyone was buying the hype. Another chimed in, “‘Taunted Khabib’ then proceeded to get taken down 2 seconds later.” Touché. UFC 311 felt less like a hiccup and more like a dent in the armor of the Dagestan mythos. So, what’s the verdict? Did Merab truly humble the Nurmagomedov name, or was this just a speed bump on the dynasty’s road to greatness? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!