Whereas tensions have been rising between Umar
Nurmagomedov and Merab
Dvalishvili forward of their UFC 311
bout, the No. 1 contender doesn’t consider he has ever disrespected
the reigning bantamweight champion.
“It’s somewhat bit emotional,” Nurmagomedov mentioned in an interview
with the UFC. “I don’t assume he’s an indignant particular person. I don’t assume
he’s a nasty particular person. I actually don’t know what he’s speaking
disrespect … I speak in regards to the struggle. I mentioned, Hey Merab, your title
is awaiting me. You don’t point out my title. It seems insane.
All people talked about that, not simply me. Once they pushed him to
struggle…and he doesn’t say nothing.”
Dvalishvili initially was reluctant to face Nurmagomedov as a result of he
felt the Dagestani hadn’t executed sufficient to earn the title shot. He
has since claimed that Nurmagomedov is
too “cocky” for his liking. Based on Nurmagomedov, there
is likely to be an ulterior motive behind Dvalishvili’s preliminary
reluctance.
“I feel he simply desires to struggle with an actual man he can beat. It
doesn’t imply I’m actually going to 100% go contained in the cage and
smash him, no. He is aware of different guys, he’ll beat. With me, it’s
going to be exhausting,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “That’s why he’s attempting to be
a champion for a very long time, and he desires to struggle with [Sean]
O’Malley, with Petr Yan, or
another person as a result of these guys, straightforward cash. Me, no. For me, he has
to go deep waters. With me it’s going to be a protracted night time. I’ll
not give him takedowns. He won’t management me.
“I’ve good abilities, placing abilities, and I could make for him so much
of issues. That’s why, however after we go contained in the cage, I can’t
assume he’s fearful of me. I’ll know that it is a man who will
attempt to beat me, I’ll attempt to smash him, and it’s going to be a
battle. What I perceive is he doesn’t wish to take a dangerous struggle.
He can beat me, it might occur. It’s not going to interrupt me. I’ll
be identical Umar. Battle is struggle. All people can lose. …If we’re speaking
about scared, I simply assume he doesn’t wish to take danger, exhausting
struggle.”
Despite the fact that the contracts are signed, Nurmagomedov won’t be
stunned if Dvalishvili withdraws from the struggle between now and
Jan. 18.
“I can’t [be] stunned, and no person will [be] stunned,”
Nurmagomedov mentioned “Even proper now I noticed commentary or on Twitter
they mentioned he’ll pull out, however he by no means pulled out earlier than. I hope
he won’t, and the struggle goes to occur.”
