UFC Noche (306) card is perhaps the most special UFC card this year which has and will see a series of amazing bouts. With the UFC 300 anniversary mega-card in the rear-view mirror, fans are looking forward to UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden in November, which will probably be Jon Jones‘ last hurrah, and Conor McGregor possibly returning to the octagon this year.

However, the UFC 306 card on September 14 remains special because it will be the first-ever combat sports card at the iconic ‘Sphere’ in Las Vegas. The sphere, of course, is by far the most unique live event venue in the world, giving the live audience an unprecedented and unrepeatable fight experience. UFC CEO Dana White has already admitted to having sunk $20 million in production for the ‘one and done card’ before it is even underway.

So imagine his anger when he saw one headliner, Merab Dvalishvili, post a video showing he had been cut on his eye during training. White was incensed. The UFC CEO lashed out, calling ‘The Machine’ ‘stupid’ for not only raising doubts about his main event clash with Sean O’Malley but also giving ‘Suga’ a clear and easy target for their fight.

But Dvalishvili, far from being offended by White’s comments, has taken the criticism in stride and has promised to ‘learn’ from his ‘mistake’. Speaking to ‘New York Post Sports’, the Georgian challenger revealed he totally understood Dana White’s outburst at him after the infamous cut video. Earlier, of course, the #1 ranked bantamweight had dismissed White’s criticism, claiming he didn’t regret posting the video. Now it seems he has had a change of heart.

Dvalishvili also posted a second video, where he cut his stitches using a normal scissor instead of a specialized one, which could be even more dangerous. Dana White, of course, had pointed this out too and had told reporters he felt ‘The Machine was just “messing with” him with it.

The Georgian, however, admitted that he didn’t know he should have used specialized scissors to remove the stitches, but has now learned and will take Dana White’s advice about not publicly revealing his injuries going forward.

“Yeah, like now, I’m gonna take a good recommendation from Dana White. I learned, you know. I’m always learning and Dana said you need… special scissors, and okay, I will get it… He’s right, I understand, man. He was scared. Of course, this is a big event and when I’m sure when he saw I have a cut in my eye and of course, all the people was panicking and I’m sure he was also a little bit scared [for O’Malley-Dvalishvili being canceled],” he said.

Not to mention his upcoming opponent’s plans on fully cashing in on the Georgian’s injury.

Sean O’Malley promises to target Merab’s eye after Dana White insults

Not only did Dvalishvili reveal his injury to the fans, and raise cancellation concerns for the UFC 306 main event, but it also is bad from a purely fight perspective. After all, Sean O’Malley, who is probably the best striker in the promotion at the moment, and more than capable of targeting ‘The Machine’s eye, has promised to do precisely that.

“I am 100% going to open up that cut, whether it’s healed or not,” O’Malley declared in a recent interview before going on to take personal shots at ‘The Machine’ and his purportedly outsized nose. “That nose just kind of takes up like 85% of his face, so I’m going to try and get around his nose and get to that cut,” he added.

How much of a factor the cut is in their fight and if ‘Suga’ can even deliver on his promise remains to be seen. And to be fair, the only reason Dvalishvili had posted the infamous cut video was because he genuinely thought it was a minor matter and wasn’t expecting the storm it kicked up.

What are your thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili’s comments about ‘learning’ from Dana White publicly insulting him?