UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has called for a rematch with Petr Yan after watching the Russian’s latest win at UFC Fight Night 248 this past weekend, and it’s drawn an angry response from the man many believe should be next to fight him, Umar Nurmagomedov.
“Merab, let’s do it again,” Yan had said on the Octagon after his unanimous decision win over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in Macau on Saturday. “I’m ready to talk about a rematch, and I believe it’s going to be a very exciting fight.”
Dvalishvili, who beat Yan by unanimous decision back in March of 2023 and has since gone on to win the 135lb title, then posted a video accepting his former foe’s challenge.
“Great fight Petr,” Dvalishvili said. “I like your call-out and I like your respect. Let’s go again after two years, March 8th [UFC 313 in Las Vegas].”
That response has left current No.2 ranked contender Umar Nurmagomedov fuming as he believes there’s no doubt he should be the next title challenger after racking up a perfect 18-0 record, including six wins in the UFC that culminated with a unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen last time out.
“No one is surprised,” Nurmagomedov wrote on X. “Someone please tell him that it looks terrible.
“A coward is a person who experiences excessive, irrational, or paralyzing fear in the face of potential danger, difficulties, or responsibilities and avoids actions or situations that require decisiveness, courage, or self-sacrifice.
Despite Dvalishvili’s attempts to dismiss NUrmagomedov as a title contender, the word from Dana White around a month ago was that Umar would be next up for a shot at the belt.
LFG @petr_yan – March 8th #UFC313 T Mobile , Las Vegas -⚔️ @Stake @MonsterEnergy @StakeUsa pic.twitter.com/I3sbVEKzIx
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) November 23, 2024
