Heading into the highly anticipated title bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, the narrative was heavily tilted in favor of the famed Russian martial arts family. Umar was expected to stay undefeated and bring another championship home, writing a new chapter in the family’s legacy. But Merab penned a different script.
The Georgian defended his belt with grit, ruining what many had predicted would be a new coronation. Since then, Umar’s coach, Javier Mendez, has been listing reasons for the loss, suggesting that circumstances beyond just performance were to be blamed.
In his latest take on the fight, Mendez said the loss wasn’t because the bantamweight champ out-fought Nurmagomedov. “I told Umar, the reason why you didn’t win the fifth is because he showboated his way to it,” he said on his podcast.
“He acted like the victor while you were tired, and that’s why I feel he took it from you — you let him,” added Mendez. This analysis didn’t sit well with MMA journalist James Lynch, who called the coach out for a lack of objectivity.
“It just comes off like a sore loser,” said Lynch, apalled at Mendez refusing to acknowledge that Merab’s offense was more effective.
Mendez had claimed that “the actual damage he [Merab] did was nothing compared to what Umar did.”
Mendez also criticized Merab’s showboating, especially in the fifth round, which he felt tilted things in his favor. “But he kept showing, ‘I’m the winner, I’m the winner,’ and Umar couldn’t stop that. I can see how judges get swayed by that.” he added.
To counter this argument, Lynch pointed to the stats — Merab outlanded Umar 111 to 59 and secured seven takedowns. The journalist’s point was that the fight was won through action, not theatrics. While acknowledging the bout was close, Lynch also pushed back on the idea that Merab’s energy alone swayed the judges.
He also addressed the new narrative that Umar broke his hand in the build-up to the fight. Merab wasn’t 100% either. “No fighter is ever completely healthy,” Lynch asserted.
Meanwhile, Umar now hopes to regroup with his team and figure out how to earn a title shot once again.
What’s next for Umar?
After his first professional loss, Umar had expressed an unwavering determination to claim the UFC bantamweight title, stating, “nothing has changed. Same plans.”
In the highly competitive bantamweight division, potential matchups for Umar include top contenders like Song Yadong, who is coming off a controversial win against former champion Henry Cejudo.
Additionally, fighters such as Petr Yan present compelling opportunities for him to reestablish his position in the title conversation. The winner of the highly anticipated fight between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo could also be a good test for Umar Nurmagomedov.
Time is on the 29-year-old’s side too. His impressive record of 18 wins and a single loss underscores his potential to ascend once more in the bantamweight ranks.
However, at UFC 311, he looked woefully underprepared to fight an opponent of Merab’s caliber. What Umar needs is a lot of experience and an extra set of lungs, should he desire another five-round battle against the Georgian.
All that will, of course, change if he can figure out a way to knock the champion out. Not an easy task against a fighter who is on a 12-fight win streak and hasn’t lost since 2018.
