Umar Nurmagomedov Merab Dvalishvili tension flared up again this week in a new interview. Nurmagomedov broke his silence on last month’s altercation in Georgia. He questioned how Dvalishvili could live with his own actions that day. The comments reignite a rivalry that already ran hot before the incident.
What Happened
Nurmagomedov spoke with MMA journalist Adam Zubayraev about the RAF Georgia incident. The altercation happened at a press conference in Tbilisi last month. Dvalishvili was reportedly asked about a possible wrestling match with Nurmagomedov. He dismissed the idea and made pointed comments about his rival.
A friend of Nurmagomedov’s then approached Dvalishvili to question the remarks. Reports say Dvalishvili responded by striking the man in the ensuing chaos. A brawl broke out between supporters on both sides soon after. Nurmagomedov was not present for the incident himself.
Key Details
The man involved was reportedly identified as Ahmad, a decorated freestyle wrestler. He reportedly holds a European gold medal and a world championship bronze medal. Nurmagomedov said Ahmad only approached to ask why Dvalishvili kept mentioning him. He said his friend never expected a physical response to a simple question.
Nurmagomedov drew a sharp comparison to explain his frustration with the incident. “Can you imagine a Georgian coming up to me in Dagestan?” he said. He added that he could never imagine reacting to a question with violence. The comment framed his criticism around basic respect between rivals.
What This Means
The remarks keep an already bitter rivalry firmly in the spotlight. Nurmagomedov said he has little interest in tracking his rival outside the cage. He still left the door open for a rematch somewhere down the line. Fans on both sides continue to debate who holds the moral high ground.
The two fighters first met inside the Octagon at UFC 311 last year. Dvalishvili won that fight by unanimous decision to retain his title at the time. He has since lost the bantamweight belt to Petr Yan at UFC 323.
Nurmagomedov 20-1-0 now turns his focus toward his next Octagon appearance instead. He meets Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Shanghai on August 29. A win there would strengthen his case for another crack at the bantamweight title.
Background Context
Dvalishvili held the UFC bantamweight title from September 2024 until December 2025. He defended the belt three times before Petr Yan reclaimed it at UFC 323. He has since stepped away from the UFC to compete in wrestling with RAF.
Nurmagomedov remains one of the most avoided contenders in the bantamweight division. His only loss inside the Octagon came against Dvalishvili at UFC 311. He has continued climbing the rankings with wins since that setback. Their rivalry has only grown more personal since the RAF Georgia incident.
Final Thoughts
Umar Nurmagomedov Merab Dvalishvili history now carries fresh weight after these new comments. Nurmagomedov made his frustration clear without escalating things further himself. His focus stays fixed on Song Yadong and a path back toward gold. A rematch with Dvalishvili remains possible, but it clearly is not his priority right now.
