What does it feel like to hold the title of the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion’s divisional champion? UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is in the perfect position to answer that question. His ongoing feud with Team Khabib, particularly with bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov, has fueled plenty of discussion. As 2024 comes to a close and 2025 approaches, the bantamweight division is gearing up for its next big showdown at UFC 311, just weeks away.

In a recent interview, Dvalishvili was asked how he has adapted to the pressures of being a champion, to which he chuckled and responded, “I don’t know. I’m still learning something, you know. I think the best way is now I should just stay busy, take fights, and that’s it. I’m going to enjoy this time.” The 135lbs king further shared that he draws inspiration from fighters like Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson, and Jon Jones, all of whom have faced significant scrutiny and controversy throughout their careers.

Despite the accusations of avoiding a fight with Nurmagomedov, Merab has embraced the drama, saying, “Now I feel like I’m a Conor McGregor; a lot of drama comes, you know. I feel like even Jon Jones and Mike Tyson used to get a lot of drama before. I’m like, ‘Where is this coming from?’ Same guy, trying to do the same things, but it’s all good.”

Until August, people did not see Umar as a title challenger; he was ranked #10 in the division. However, after a dominant performance against Cory Sandhagen, Nurmagomedov made a shocking leap to #2 with ‘The Sandman’ dropping to #4. With ‘The Young Eagle’ now in title contention, Dvalishvili has been vocal about why he believes the Dagestani doesn’t deserve a shot just yet, citing his relatively limited competition.

The reigning champion pointed out, “He only fought one guy from the Top 15, and [Cory] Sandhagen gave him a hard time. He’s fought nobody and they gave him number two? Yes, he got a win. He’s a good fighter for sure, but he hasn’t earned it to be here.” Instead of facing Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili had expressed interest in re-matching Sean O’Malley or fighting seasoned veterans like Deiveson Figueiredo and Petr Yan.

However, despite the ongoing back-and-forth, ‘The Machine’ can no longer avoid Nurmagomedov, with their highly anticipated fight now just weeks away. Meanwhile, Figueiredo has shared his honest perspective on the upcoming clash between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov, offering his take on how the matchup could unfold.

Deiveson Figueiredo’s honest take on Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

Deiveson Figueiredo, like many others, has his eyes fixed on the highly anticipated UFC 311 co-main event between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov. This fight marks ‘The Machine’s’ first title defense, and for the former 125lbs kingpin, it holds significant interest. The outcome could have major implications for his future in the 135lbs division, a division that could hinge on the result of the Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov showdown.

Although Figueiredo is still recovering from a loss to Petr Yan, he remains determined to capitalize on any opportunity that may arise, despite the division’s ongoing chaos. While many analysts favor Umar to take the win, Deiveson Figueiredo offers a different perspective. In an interview with MMA Junkie, the former flyweight champion boldly predicted that Merab Dvalishvili would retain his belt.

“I tend to favor Merab. The reason I say this is that his [Merab] striking isn’t refined, but he manages to tire and confuse people so he can take them down. On the other hand, Umar is a guy who knows how to submit from the bottom, so there’s a risk for Merab. But after five rounds, I see Merab’s hand being raised,” ‘God of War’ stated.

What are your thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili comparing himself to Conor McGregor? Do you feel that by likening himself to McGregor, Jon Jones, and Mike Tyson, the champ is pushing his aspirations too far, especially with no defenses under his belt till now? Share your opinion below.