Is Merab afraid of Umar?

[Lionheart7167]

I don't usually like to make accusations like this.
Most "ducking" accusations are total nonsense, and obviously Merab stepped up to the plate and agreed to fight him, so he's not ducking the man.

Something about Merab's reluctance to fight Umar feels suspect though.
He's literally said and done everything to avoid fighting Umar. He's downplayed him, and seems genuinely angered to have to fight him.
He's pushed for Yan and O'Malley rematches, which makes sense since they're bigger fights, but it still feels weird.

You can certainly make the argument that Umar's not ranked as high, but only a fool would deny his dominance, and he's the obvious guy Merab hasn't fought yet.

Thoughts?

 

[Objectively Correct]

He sure as hell was not displaying joy, whenever Umars name was mentioned

 

[sickness666]

I don´t think it´s fear. Champs of today want to cherrie pick their next opponents. Umar would be the last guy on everybodys list, no matter who holds the belt.
And he has a point to say Umar hasn´t fought that much top 10 fighters.
On the other hand: these top 10 fighters have also avoided fighting Umar. The result you can see here: he leapfroged the guys who avoided him.

IMO Umar is the right contender. If Merab want´s to be the undisputed champ he has to beat Umar, it´s as simple as that.

 

[AstralPanda]

All fighters are shook if you stick around sherdog long enough

 

[TriangleMonkey]

I think its more of a “more risk than reward” scenario

These up and coming killers can take your top spot with one slip-up in this game of inches

These title-holders have known that, so they avoid these type of matches as much as they can control

Then on the other hand, we have some champs that actually WANT the very next best guy next every-outing. And we respect those men

 

[fortheo]

I don't usually like to make accusations like this.
Most "ducking" accusations are total nonsense, and obviously Merab stepped up to the plate and agreed to fight him, so he's not ducking the man.

Something about Merab's reluctance to fight Umar feels suspect though.
He's literally said and done everything to avoid fighting Umar. He's downplayed him, and seems genuinely angered to have to fight him.
He's pushed for Yan and O'Malley rematches, which makes sense since they're bigger fights, but it still feels weird.

You can certainly make the argument that Umar's not ranked as high, but only a fool would deny his dominance, and he's the obvious guy Merab hasn't fought yet.

Thoughts?

If he really did everything to duck umar, then he wouldn't have walked in the UFC office himself and asked to fight umar.

I honestly think Merab just has his own code, and Umar getting a title shot with only one meaningful win shits in the face of his code. You can call him a fool, but I truly think he believes that.

 

[mkess101]

If he doesn't show up for the fight i guess we can say he's scared. Otherwise I'd imagine it has more to do with career management/money /risk vs reward etc.

 

[cold_spring_harbor]

I don't know, according to dana, merab walked into Dana's office, said he was sick of Umars disrespectful tone and demanded the fight as soon as possible...

Sooo I think the answer is a resounding no

 

[Mr Dilkington]

It felt to me more that Merab won the belt and thought he was then going to be calling the shots. Except he isn't. He kept talking about wanting to fight in Feb or March, not Jan. Talking about Yan, not Umar.

He might not be scared of Umar, but he's shock when it comes to the UFC and Dana.

 

[Chama]

Not afraid but deff angered because nurmagomedov privilege.

 

[OldBoy91]

Afraid? Probably not.

I think he realises Umar is the hardest fight in the division for him and he also didn't really do anything to earn a title fight.

Then he was basically strong armed into accepting Umar when the UFC shot down his suggestions of challengers who had done more to earn a title fight.

He probably feels like the UFC is against him and wants him to lose, so angry and frustrated for sure.

Aljo went through a similar deal with the O'Malley fight. They shot him up the ranks similar to Umar and then strong armed Aljo into taking the fight when he was very vocal about being injured and needing time off.

So I think Merab likely feels that the UFC is constantly trying to screw him and his friends over.

 

[Brigfa2]

I don´t think it´s fear. Champs of today want to cherrie pick their next opponents. Umar would be the last guy on everybodys list, no matter who holds the belt.
And he has a point to say Umar hasn´t fought that much top 10 fighters.
On the other hand: these top 10 fighters have also avoided fighting Umar. The result you can see here: he leapfroged the guys who avoided him.

IMO Umar is the right contender. If Merab want´s to be the undisputed champ he has to beat Umar, it´s as simple as that.

How do you know they avoided him? Do you have a records of phone calls and messages of fighters rejecting Umar?

 

[nostradumbass]

Probably, but it's likely more that he thought winning the belt would give him some "aura", and he's bummed that Umar doesn't seem to care and that he's not even the favorite for his first title defense. Does anybody know of any title fights where the challenger was the favorite that the champ won? I know Conor was favored over Aldo, and Jones was favored over Shogun, and Colby opened as the favorite over Leon but that shifted by fight night.

 

[Rapa]

I don't usually like to make accusations like this.
Most "ducking" accusations are total nonsense, and obviously Merab stepped up to the plate and agreed to fight him, so he's not ducking the man.

Something about Merab's reluctance to fight Umar feels suspect though.
He's literally said and done everything to avoid fighting Umar. He's downplayed him, and seems genuinely angered to have to fight him.
He's pushed for Yan and O'Malley rematches, which makes sense since they're bigger fights, but it still feels weird.

You can certainly make the argument that Umar's not ranked as high, but only a fool would deny his dominance, and he's the obvious guy Merab hasn't fought yet.

Thoughts?

U guys are really fun no he is not scared of umar he just thinks (and he is right) umar dont deserve title shot bcs only ranked fighter he beat is cory and cory never was and will be championship level fighte! Umar fought debuntant fighter before cory! He was in top 15 or even in top 10 without fighting any ranked fighters!!! All of this because he is khabibs cousin! And in one month merab will show world why he said he didnt deserve title shot when he breaks him just like he broke sean and yan

 

[Chayanne]

I have my doubts, yes, he didn't act like a hysterical woman towards Omaley, but he did towards Umar.

 

[Oscar Madison]

Merab isn't afraid.

He's like an elder at the annual village Harvest Festival getting disrespected by rambunctious taunting youth.

He'll be having none of that!

 

[HatKick]

Yeah he is. He can't even think straight.

 

[Beastslayer47]

I don't know, according to dana, merab walked into Dana's office, said he was sick of Umars disrespectful tone and demanded the fight as soon as possible...

Sooo I think the answer is a resounding no

I don't believe that story. I think it's just a made up scenario to hype up the fight

 

[pride_rules]

Merab made it very clear

he thinks Umar should be GRAPEFUL

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

I don't believe that story. I think it's just a made up scenario to hype up the fight

Keywords: "According to Dana"