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Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov Preview & Picks – Merab To Halt Nurmagomedov’s Rise At UFC 311
- Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov picks for Saturday, January 18
- UFC 311 is taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
Merab Dvalishvili (Getty Images)
- Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov Preview & Picks
- Merab Dvalishvili Form
- Umar Nurmagomedov Form
Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov Preview & Picks
Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov Preview & Picks
Merab Dvalishvili is tipped to spring an upset and retain the UFC bantamweight title.
Dvalishvili is on a tear and his relentless grappling and outstanding cardio can be the difference.
We expect him to smother Umar Nurmagomedov, take away his striking advantage and earn the decision.
- Merab Dvalishvili is on an 11-fight win streak
- 14 of Merab Dvalishvili’s career wins have been via decision
- 10 of Merab Dvalishvili’s 11 wins in the UFC have come on points
- 3 of Umar Nurmagomedov’s last 4 fights have gone the distance
Merab Dvalishvili Form
Merab Dvalishvili is the defending UFC bantamweight champion with a record of 18-4 (3 KOs, 1 Sub).
Dvalishvili debuted in the UFC in late 2017 and got off to a bad start as he dropped his first two fights for the promotion.
He rebounded in emphatic fashion though, reeling off 11 consecutive victories to climb to the top of the bantamweight division.
The 34-year-old Georgian beat Terrion Ware, Brad Katona, Casey Kenney, Gustavo Lopez, John Dodson and Cody Stamann by decision, before finally registering his first UFC stoppage.
Dvalishvili knocked out Marlon Moraes in the second round in September 2021, earning ‘Performance of the Night’ honors.
He then fought once in 2022, out-pointing the legendary Jose Aldo, before beating Petr Yan via decision in his only outing of 2023.
Dvalishvili was more active in 2024, fighting twice, with the second of those wins completing his rise to the summit.
‘The Machine’ first beat Henry Cejudo via decision, before winning the bantamweight crown with a points victory over Sean O’Malley.
Umar Nurmagomedov Form
Umar Nurmagomedov is the #2 bantamweight contender with a professional record of 18-0 (2 KOs, 7 Subs).
Nurmagomedov signed with the UFC in late 2020 and enjoyed a successful debut as he submitted Sergey Morozov in the second round.
He followed that up with two successful outings in 2022 as he first tapped out Brian Kelleher, before beating Nate Maness on points.
The 29-year-old Russian continued his ascent in his only fight of 2023, knocking out Raoni Barcelos in the first round, and then earned this title shot with a couple of wins in 2024.
Nurmagomedov first claimed a unanimous decision win over Bekzat Almakhan in March 2024.
He then scored the biggest win of his career to date when he beat Cory Sandhagen on points in a title fight eliminator.
Verdict
Merab Dvalishvili offers huge appeal as an underdog in this one.
Umar Nurmagomedov has impressed, but Dvalishvili has been on a tear and can put the challenger under the type of pressure he has never experienced before for five rounds.
Umar Nurmagomedov has impressed, but Dvalishvili has been on a tear and can put the challenger under the type of pressure he has never experienced before for five rounds.
Merab Dvalishvili
Winner
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