Nurmagomedov On Dvalishvili's Endless Disrespect Claims

Umar Nurmagomedov has heard enough from Merab Dvalishvili about disrespect.

The bantamweight contender told MMA Fighting this week he no longer cares what his former opponent has to say about their feud, which has persisted since their January 2025 title fight. Nurmagomedov returns Saturday against Song Yadong in Shanghai, looking to extend his winning streak to three and push his overall UFC run to nine victories with the lone loss coming against Dvalishvili.

Nurmagomedov Invites Dvalishvili To Settle Feud Privately

The bad blood between the two has escalated outside the cage. Dvalishvili slapped a Nurmagomedov supporter at a Russian event in Georgia last month, nearly sparking a mass brawl, and continues to bring up Nurmagomedov in interviews. "I don't give a s--t about all of this, I don't care about that," Nurmagomedov said, per MMA Fighting. "I don't care about respect, disrespect, I don't think about him."

Nurmagomedov suggested Dvalishvili settle things directly if the Georgian fighter has a genuine problem. "Come to me, nobody is gonna hold you," he said. "You can find my number, we can find space. Text me." He mocked Dvalishvili's constant complaints about being disrespected, saying the champion should rebrand himself. "It's not man's style when you cry and shout disrespect," Nurmagomedov said. "He has to change his nickname: no more 'Machine.' 'Disrespect' Dvalishvili."

Dvalishvili defends the bantamweight title against Petr Yan in a trilogy fight this October. A Nurmagomedov win in Shanghai could set up a rematch in 2027.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Stop crying! Umar Nurmagomedov is tired of ‘Disrespect Dvalishvili’ talking about him