Former bantamweight champion Petr Yan proved to the world why he is the best. Yan took an impressive Deiveson Figueiredo in an exciting five-round clash. However, the former champion seemed an absolutely different fighter on the night. Not only did he use his boxing skills but also showed good wrestling skills in the fight. 

During his post-fight interview, he said, “Guys before my fight Merab told DeivesonFigueiredo number one contender who deserve title fight. I want to say Merab what you say now when I beat the number one contender in my division. I wanna do rematch with Merab let’s go.” The current champion also seemed impressed with the performance and took time to respond to the call-out. 

Merab Dvalishvili seemed highly impressed with Petr Yan at UFC Macau

Merab Dvalishvili took to his X account to share his appreciation for the former champion. He tweeted, “@PetrYanUFC you look damn good”. He also appreciated Yan for his performance with another tweet, “I’m impressed  @PetrYanUFC performance tonight #UFCMacao”. 

Merab Dvalishvili’s rise to the UFC bantamweight title has been met with significant attention, especially as he contemplates his next moves. After securing the belt with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, Dvalishvili showcased his signature relentless wrestling and resilience. His title win extended his impressive winning streak to 11 fights, cementing his place among the UFC elite. Following his victory, much of the conversation turned to a potential title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov, a rising star and cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Despite Nurmagomedov’s success, including a notable win over Cory Sandhagen, Dvalishvili has expressed reluctance about this matchup. Now with ‘The Machine’ lauding Yan’s performance, it seems he might just give a chance to the former champion for a rematch. So where does Umar Nurmagomedov fit in the division at the moment? The Dagestani fighter is now confident that he will get his title shot after Ramadan.

Umar Nurmagomedov is still confident of getting a title shot against Merab Dvalishvili

Umar Nurmagomedov, a rising star in the UFC’s bantamweight division, has been vocal about his desire to face the current champion, Merab Dvalishvili. However, the matchup is unlikely to occur before Ramadan, as Dvalishvili has indicated that he needs more time to prepare. Ramadan, a sacred period for Muslim athletes, runs from late February to late March in 2025, during which Umar will abstain from fighting. Despite these scheduling challenges, Nurmagomedov has emphasized his willingness to stay active.

If a fight with Dvalishvili cannot be arranged soon, he is open to taking on another top contender in early 2025. Nurmagomedov, who boasts an undefeated record (18-0), has expressed frustration with what he perceives as Dvalishvili’s reluctance to face him. He believes the Georgian champion is intentionally delaying their clash, creating tension between the two camps.  In a recent interview posted by Red Corner MMA, he shared his honest opinion on the whole. The Dagestani fighter said, “Perhaps they will give me the title shot right after Ramadan. And if not, I want to fight before Ramadan. I’d like to fight in January, or if it’s for the belt, in May after Ramadan.” 

The Dagesatni fighter is still confident that he will get a title shot next. However, the big question is will Merab Dvalishvili give him the opportunity to face him. Who should ‘The Machine’ face next in his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.