Media Umar claims Merab is ducking; He considers fighting someone else before Ramadan

[Alpha_T83]

I’m blaming the only person to blame - the guy who is avoiding the only logical fight in the division on the ridiculous concept that he needs more than 5 months in between fights.

Most champions these days don't even average one fight every six months. You're expecting Merab to turn around and fight with 5 months between fights just because it accommodates his opponent? Sorry but Merab owes nothing to Umar.

These Dagestanis will fight anyone no matter what 11 months of the year, acting like the fact they take 1 month off for Ramadan makes them divas is ridiculously disingenuous. Not fighting the top contender on 5 months rest after a fight where you didn’t take much damage and there are no other available contenders tells the story.

That's not true. For the most part they won't even do training camp during Ramadan. Which means they won't fight for 3-4 months of the year given the need for 2-3 months of training camp after Ramadan.

Ramadan is over in April 2025. I bet Merab would be willing to fight Umar in April. Why isn't Umar suggesting April? Oh that's right, he won't even train during Ramadan. Not Merab's fault or problem. That's an Umar problem.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

O'malley rematch

Only Suga thinks he deserves it and he’s getting hip surgery, out 9 months.

So again - who should he fight? Wait until May to fight Figgy/Yan? Would love to see that fight but he should fight Umar in February and then the winner will fight the winner of Figgy/Yan over Summer.

These divisions get stalled forever because of this shit, it’s frustrating as fans because it stalks out all other contenders waiting for their shot as well.

 

[andgonsil]

Suga rematch

 

[wrb]

I have no respect for religious extremists that allow their religion to dictate their behaviour. Believe what you want, but when you start only eating certain foods and observing ridiculous starvation rituals, you have taken things too far. I include the cult of vegans in this as well.

If Umar can't fight during Ramadan, and Merab is willing to wait & schedule a fight during Ramadan to avoid him, then that's Umar's own fault. Umar can join the civilized secular world and fight during Ramadan, or he can punish himself and have noone but himself to blame.

Can you imagine the punishment Dana would put on an American fighter not fighting because of is religion? I agree, Ramadan stuff is starting to become unfair to the other champions and an advantage to the Dagi's.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Only Suga thinks he deserves it and he’s getting hip surgery, out 9 months.

So again - who should he fight? Wait until May to fight Figgy/Yan? Would love to see that fight but he should fight Umar in February and then the winner will fight the winner of Figgy/Yan over Summer.

These divisions get stalled forever because of this shit, it’s frustrating as fans because it stalks out all other contenders waiting for their shot as well.

Figgy/Yan winner could fight in March/April if they want it. It's a 4-5 month turnaround, but if the winner wants a title shot it could be theirs. If they decide to rest and wait, then they will lose their title shot. That's life. Cody Sandhagen would likely be next on the list if Figgy/Yan can't fight.

Ultimately you need to accept that if Umar turns down a March/April title shot, then that's his fault. It will be up to the UFC if they want to move on without him. If the UFC decide they want Merab to stay active and fight someone else, then they will find him an opponent. And you will have no one to blame but Umar.

 

[AmonTobin]

Merab says Umar hasn't earned it, Umar thinks he deserves title shot.
I have to agree with Merab here. Umar should win another fight before he can make any claim. It's not like he's been getting finish after finish, and it's not like he's been fighting top 10 guy after top 10 guy. Guys shouldn't be getting title shots based off of a hunch that they're champ level. Prove that you deserve it. Put in the work. Build a case for yourself. This is all Merab is asking.

 

[markys00]

Merab says Umar hasn't earned it, Umar thinks he deserves title shot.
I have to agree with Merab here. Umar should win another fight before he can make any claim. It's not like he's been getting finish after finish, and it's not like he's been fighting top 10 guy after top 10 guy. Guys shouldn't be getting title shots based off of a hunch that they're champ level. Prove that you deserve it. Put in the work. Build a case for yourself. This is all Merab is asking.

I would agree, but who then? Timing seems to be the key

 

[AmonTobin]

I would agree, but who then? Timing seems to be the key

Where’s Song Yadong at? Try beating the guy who beat Yan and Sandhagen?

 

[chs140]

I have no respect for religious extremists that allow their religion to dictate their behaviour. Believe what you want, but when you start only eating certain foods and observing ridiculous starvation rituals, you have taken things too far. I include the cult of vegans in this as well.

If Umar can't fight during Ramadan, and Merab is willing to wait & schedule a fight during Ramadan to avoid him, then that's Umar's own fault. Umar can join the civilized secular world and fight during Ramadan, or he can punish himself and have noone but himself to blame.

The scree of the low 90s iq

 

[Alpha_T83]

The scree of the low 90s iq

You couldn't be more wrong son. Wanna do some Raven's Progressive Matrices and see who's better?

 

[MigitAs]

Umar didn’t deserve a #2 fight and now he doesn’t deserve a title shot either. He should beat one more guy imo to solidify his claim.

Compare this to Belal who had to win like 10+ fights to get a TS.

He has been given opportunities similar to Sean O’Malley and has so far performed accordingly. Now he is ranked near the very top, and expects a title shot. I don’t see anything wrong with this.

 

[NoBiasJustMMA]

These dudes need to quit trying to shove Ramadan down the rest of the world.

UFC is a global sports organization.

Expecting one day of observance -- maybe that's reasonable and OK -- But a phukking MONTH that changes every year!

Nah dawg -- you need to commit to professional sports or enjoy your own Halal tournaments.

And I actually want to see the humorous battle of shameless nut diving. Maybe, they'll be left to strike each other -- unlike the Sandhagen style of sitting on Umar to defend getting tangled up.

This is such a weird thing to get your panties in a bunch about. It's one month out of 12 and most fighters fight 2 or 3 times a year and some fighters on the roster can't fight that much since there are so many. It has practically zero impact. Besides fighters have lives and some won't fight due to vacations or other reasons so what makes this one so special to get mad about.

 

[PeterGriffin]

Merab doesn't have the UFC clout or Dana privilege yet to pick and choose his opponents yet. He will either have to fight Sean or Umar whether he likes it or not. I don't agree with champs being able to duck anyone, nor do I think that Ramadan is an excuse to use in justifying not defending your title. It should not be unreasonable to expect a champ to defend at least twice a year, although I would much, much prefer 3 times a year. Pick your fight dates smart and it should not be an issue anyways.

I know fighters have to be offered three fights a year, to honor the terms of UFC contracts, but I do believe fighters should also be expected to actually fight at least twice as well (with obvious legitimate exclusions when necessary). It's too easy for fighters to just say no now.

I know the UFC doesn't really care in most cases when fighters make excuses not to fight, but when it's the elite of a particular division and everyone's cherry-picking opponents and ducking fights... then the UFC has gone full circle and turned into what Dana bashed boxing for letting happen. Conor's worthless, and Jon's about gone. Other than Poatan, there are no fighters that really move the needle. It would be a good time for Dana to get his balls back, put his foot down and put all the divisions and champs on notice.

Fight, or lose your undisputed titles. Stop creating interim titles. FIght, or do without.

Dana will be quick to get rid of Belal and Merab as champs, their styles don't necessarily endear themselves to the fans. They got their title shots and made the most of them, but I think the UFC and Dana will be eager to replace as soon as possible.

 

[Rapa]

O

Hey, Sherbums! Let’s talk about Merab Dvalishvili—our favorite bantamweight who seems to be doing more dodging than a matador in a bullring. With a shiny winning streak under his belt, you’d think he’d be eager to face Umar Nurmagomedov, right? But instead, he’s playing the title shot game, raising some serious questions about his bravery.

Umar’s been steamrolling contenders, yet here we are, with Merab potentially pulling a “no thanks” on the fight. Is it just smart strategy, or is he really scared to take on the challenge? Let’s break it down!

Okay when sean gay omelly wanted to fight #6 chito instead of merab u all didnt say word now while merab says he will fight anyone (umar too) but he thinks umar dont deserve title shot he is ducking? Merab will maul him its umar who ducked merab twice already and now he says he cant fight in march he is trying to avoid merab until he is merab is in prime

 

[Dreyga Hates You Sherbums]

Okay when sean gay omelly wanted to fight #6 chito instead of merab u all didnt say word

I 100% called out the blatant favoritism by the UFC when Chito got that farce of titleshot. Stop making up lies

 

[The Siege]

O

Okay when sean gay omelly wanted to fight #6 chito instead of merab u all didnt say word

Not sure where you were during that time, but everyone who wasn't trolling recognized that Chito was a storyline-based matchup and not an earned TS.

 

[The Siege]

Can you imagine the punishment Dana would put on an American fighter not fighting because of is religion? I agree, Ramadan stuff is starting to become unfair to the other champions and an advantage to the Dagi's.

I highly doubt Dana would punish an American fighter for their religious beliefs lmao Dana is right wing and right wing fans make up the vast majority of the UFC fanbase. No need to create victimization fantasies, Dana is a shithead already with the way he treats fighters.

And how does needing to take off one month of a year giving the Dagis an advantage of being unfair to other Champions?

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Most champions these days don't even average one fight every six months. You're expecting Merab to turn around and fight with 5 months between fights just because it accommodates his opponent? Sorry but Merab owes nothing to Umar.


That's not true. For the most part they won't even do training camp during Ramadan. Which means they won't fight for 3-4 months of the year given the need for 2-3 months of training camp after Ramadan.

Ramadan is over in April 2025. I bet Merab would be willing to fight Umar in April. Why isn't Umar suggesting April? Oh that's right, he won't even train during Ramadan. Not Merab's fault or problem. That's an Umar problem.

Let’s not make excuses on the “most champions” basis - the fight game is based on booking availability based on who is champ, who is a star, where the fights are scheduled, to be, etc.

I’m expecting him to fight the top ranked contender after 5 months because he has no injuries and there is no one else to fight, by missing that window he will be out 9 months instead of 5, why does he need 4 extra months?

They always try to fight before Ramadan so they don’t get frozen out for the months that follows. If they are a top fighter they are usually given that leeway, especially if the UFC likes them/wants them as champ - guess what? They like Umar more than Merab and want him as champ instead, those are the breaks of the fight game, love it or hate it.

Again, who do you want him to fight instead? You want him to sit for 9-10 months and the only available contender fight is Figgy/Yan so could fight the winner in Summer.

Cool, I’d much rather see two dope title fights in 10 months than one, despite Merab thinking he’s allowed to cherry-pick opponents and fight times from a promotion that actively hates him.

But then again I like watching dope fights, not rank squatting and contender ducking.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Figgy/Yan winner could fight in March/April if they want it. It's a 4-5 month turnaround, but if the winner wants a title shot it could be theirs. If they decide to rest and wait, then they will lose their title shot. That's life. Cody Sandhagen would likely be next on the list if Figgy/Yan can't fight.

Ultimately you need to accept that if Umar turns down a March/April title shot, then that's his fault. It will be up to the UFC if they want to move on without him. If the UFC decide they want Merab to stay active and fight someone else, then they will find him an opponent. And you will have no one to blame but Umar.

Sandhagen got tooled by Umar, he needs two legit wins to get a title fight. Has no hype coming off the Vera/Font wins then getting 50-45’d by Umar.

Figgy/Yan could fight early Summer like May, after a 5 round main event where they actually fight to hurt and not hold each other they legit need more recovery time.

I wouldn’t be shocked if they gave Umar a layup like Vera or Cejudo in Jan/Feb and just guarantee him the title fight in June.

Sadly that means winner Figgy/Yan gets fucked and shelved until late Fall….again, domino effect freezing out contenders for 9+ months all because a non-star control fighter thinks he can call shots when he hasn’t earned the right of a super star that has defended and fought a lot recently like Izzy or Poatan.

 

[filthybliss]

he should fight the suga show