LOS ANGELES – UFC 311 wasn’t an ideal return date for Merab Dvalishvili, but he doesn’t expect it to be an issue.
Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) defends his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome.
Dvalishvili was hoping to take a bit more time off before booking his first title defense but ultimately accepted the January date. “The Machine” revealed that he had some obstacles during training camp.
“Originally I wanted to come back in March after six months, especially after my title fight first time, and I wanted to enjoy it,” Dvalishvili said Wednesday at UFC 311 media day.
“I was in Vegas because Aljo (Sterling) was fighting Movsar Evloev and training, and I was always dealing with some injuries. But once I hear the UFC needs me, I stepped up and Dana (White) said yes. I go to the office and I said, ‘OK, I will step up. I’m a company man, let’s do it.”
Dvalishvili clarified that the injuries he was dealing with in preparation won’t impact the fight.
“Not the fight, it was affecting my training,” Dvalishvili said. “I will post it after the fight, but training was difficult because of this injury. But I’m good. I’m ready now. It’s all good.”
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