Umar Nurmagomedov responds to Merab Dvalishvili’s dismissal of him getting the next bantamweight title shot

Umar Nurmagomedov to Merab Dvalishvili: I’m in your head!

In a recent tweet, Nurmagomedov responded to Dvalishvili’s remarks.

Merab just focus on your upcoming fight. Too much Umar in your head. Everybody knows that you don’t want to fight me. And honestly I don’t care about you, I’m just hunting for the belt. If you win the belt, we talk.

— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) September 6, 2024

“Merab just focus on your upcoming fight,” Nurmagomedov tweeted. “Too much Umar in your head. Everybody knows that you don’t want to fight me. And honestly I don’t care about you, I’m just hunting for the belt. If you win the belt, we talk.”

Umar, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, has won 18 consecutive fights to begin his career. Before the win over Sandhagen, he defeated Raoni Barcelos, Brian Kelleher, and Bekzat Almakhan in his UFC tenure.

Dvalishvili endorsed former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo as having a solid case to face the UFC 306 winner. Figueiredo most recently defeated former title challenger Marlon Vera at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Nurmagomedov could potentially serve as the UFC 306 backup if anything happens in the final days leading up to the event. As of this writing, it’s uncertain what the UFC’s plans are in terms of backup fighters.

If Dvalishvili defeats O’Malley at UFC 306, a fiery debate could ensue regarding the next bantamweight title shot. Nurmagomedov’s defiance of Dvalishvili’s stance might not matter as he’s considered the consensus next man up for a title fight.