Umar Nurmagomedov favors revenge against Merab Dvalishvili over the UFC bantamweight title

Umar Nurmagomedov badly desires to fight Merab Dvalishvili freed from injuries.

The UFC bantamweight contender has been working his way back toward the title after falling short in his first opportunity early last yr.

Nurmagomedov lost to Dvalishvili at UFC 311, with the Georgian doing enough to get the nod on all three judges’ scorecards in Los Angeles to successfully defend the belt.

The Dagestani has won his next two fights to increase his pro record to 20-1 and keep his name within the title mix, but championship glory at 135 kilos is just not Nurmagomedov’s priority immediately.

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Umar Nurmagomedov would somewhat beat Merab Dvalishvili than change into UFC bantamweight champion

The UFC 311 co-main event was a competitive five-round battle, with Nurmagomedov starting strong and taking a 2-0 lead on a few the scorecards.

Dvalishvili was capable of mount a comeback to maintain hold of the bantamweight title on the Intuit Dome, and the Russian star believes an injury made that possible.

Nurmagomedov broke his hand against Dvalishvili, sharing a picture of the injury on social media after the defeat.

17 months later, the 30-year-old remains to be not over the loss and is desperate for a likelihood to avenge it, a lot in order that he would favor that rematch over one other title shot.

“Truthfully, the one thing I would like from this sport is a rematch (against Dvalishvili),” Nurmagomedov told Adam Zubayraev.

“Even greater than the belt. I’ll get the belt. (But) if someone asked me, ‘What would you somewhat have: a likelihood to fight for the belt or take a rematch?’ I’d want the rematch.

“I’m curious how I’d have fought if I hadn’t gotten injured,” he continued. “For instance, Petr Yan’s first fight and the second fight (against Dvalishvili). Everyone said it was an excuse, and within the second fight, when he was healthy, it turned out it wasn’t an excuse.

“That’s why I’m curious for myself, too, how I’ll fight with a healthy hand.”

For now, each men can have their sights on other big names within the bantamweight division.

While Dvalishvili is expecting to challenge Petr Yan after having the title taken from him by ‘No Mercy’ of their rematch last December, Nurmagomedov is reportedly in line to fight Song Yadong.

The Dagestani was scheduled to face David Martinez in Abu Dhabi this July, but an injury has apparently forced a change of plans.