Merab Dvalishvili rips fans over fighter disrespect

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili went after fans who trash-talk fighters on social media, issuing an open challenge to critics who question the sport's athletes.

Dvalishvili posted on X that fans who disparage fighters insult the work that goes into competing at the highest level. "You disrespect the dedication and hard work to the sport that every fighter puts in when you talk shit," he wrote, per Sherdog. "Win or lose we are all warriors and deserve respect. F*ck anyone talking what they don't know — come say it to my face."

Dvalishvili defends Topuria after Gaethje loss

The Georgian champion's outburst followed the brutal lightweight title fight between his close friend Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at UFC White House earlier this month. Topuria had predicted a first-round stoppage and held a party the night before the bout, but Gaethje battered him over four rounds before Topuria's corner stopped the fight.

Dvalishvili did not name Topuria specifically in his post, but the timing suggests he was responding to criticism of his compatriot's performance and pre-fight confidence. The bantamweight king has long defended training partners and teammates on social media, particularly fellow fighters from Georgia.

Topuria dropped to 17-1 with the loss, his first defeat since joining the UFC roster in 2020.

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• Sherdog — Merab Dvalishvili lashes out over 'disrespect' toward fighters