Umar Nurmagomedov remains unconvinced by the judges’ decision that awarded Merab Dvalishvili a unanimous victory in their UFC 311 bantamweight title fight on Saturday night. The bout, which marked Nurmagomedov’s first professional defeat, has left the Dagestani fighter adamant that he was the rightful winner.
Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) successfully retained his bantamweight crown after a grueling five-round contest. However, Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) shared his thoughts via Instagram, expressing his disagreement with the outcome while maintaining humility and faith in his journey forward:
“There are no excuses. InshaAllah, I will become a champion. The rest is not important. Praise Allah in any situation.
And I don’t think I’ve lost this battle, even if the whole world convinces me otherwise.
Deal with the injuries and get back on track, InshaAllah.”
During his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Nurmagomedov disclosed that he sustained a hand injury in the opening round. This was later confirmed by his management, who shared images of the damage. Despite the setback, Nurmagomedov delivered a competitive performance throughout the fight, but the extent to which the injury affected him remains known only to him.
Dvalishvili, who now boasts a 10-fight win streak, showcased his signature relentless pressure and cardio, earning the judges’ nod with scores of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46. Yet, Nurmagomedov’s strong striking and grappling exchanges made for a closely contested battle, sparking debates among fans and analysts alike.
For Nurmagomedov, the loss serves as a motivator rather than a setback. He plans to recover from his injuries and continue his quest for UFC gold. As he vowed, “InshaAllah, I will become a champion,” signaling his intent to return stronger and more determined than ever.
Meanwhile, Dvalishvili solidifies his position as one of the most dominant bantamweights in UFC history, but Nurmagomedov’s remarks and performance ensure that the conversation surrounding the fight will linger in MMA circles for some time.
