Merab Dvalishvili’s head coach was expecting far more from Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC 311 co-main event.
Considering Umar Nurmagomedov‘s undefeated record going into the UFC 311 co-main event and the fact that he has always struggled for top ranked opponents, Merab Dvalishvili and his team thought they were in for a tough night.
Originally, ‘The Machine’ wasn’t too keen on fighting Nurmagomedov as he believed he hadn’t exactly earned his title shot.
Despite that, the Georgian showcased why he is regarded as one of the greatest 135lb fighters of all time by picking up the unanimous decision victory, handing Nurmagomedov his first career loss.
Merab Dvalishvili expected a tougher fight from Umar Nurmagomedov
The Russian 29-year-old started the fight off pretty comfortably and seemed to be rising to the occasion and the expectation surrounding him.
Despite that, in rounds three, four, and five, ‘The Machine’s’ patented cardio started to cause an issue for Umar and the champion began imposing himself on the Russian with his inhuman pace.
Dvalishvili went on to win the fight pretty comfortably and even took the chance to showboat during the fight in typical Merab fashion.
- READ MORE: Footage shows Khabib Nurmagomedov’s live reaction to cousin losing against Merab Dvalishvili
Following the fight, the challenger claimed that he broke his hand in round one and shared images of his swollen hand.
After Nurmagomedov’s performance, Dvalishvili’s head coach, John Wood admitted that the fight was easier than they originally expected it to be.
“No, (nothing surprised us), not at all. He did what I thought he would do and maybe he broke his hand in the first round, maybe he didn’t, who knows,” John Wood began to explain.
“I don’t think a broken hand affects your cardio from the last I checked I don’t think your hand and your lungs are connected, so I don’t think that played into anything and who cares, it’s a fight that’s what happens.
“If anything, the only thing I’d say is it was maybe easier than expected and that’s not being disrespectful it’s how good Merab is and I really want people to start noticing that,” Wood continued.
Merab’s coach sheds some light on his injuries going into UFC 311
Although Umar blamed his broken hand on the reason for his loss, Dvalishvili said after his fight that he broke his back during his training camp which came as a big shock to the fans.
That wasn’t the only injury the champion went into the fight with as he had a bad cut on his leg which resulted in an infection. Coach Wood has shed some light on the extent of Dvalishvili’s injuries and claimed that if it was any of his other fighters, he would’ve undoubtedly pulled them out of their fight.
“His leg, he got his leg cut up on a bleachers he was walking by a bleachers and he had cuts everywhere, he left it and kept training through it, eventually got stitched up too late and the stitches busted… His whole shin became infected and it was a concern even getting cleared for this fight.
“Then his back, the other day UFC embedded or countdown came by and he was out doing his workout in the street and jumped up the wrong way and pinched a nerve and couldn’t walk for a week. It was a complicated camp,” Wood explained.
After such a quick turnaround between his win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 and his first title defense, Dvalishvili may want some extended time off, despite only being handed a seven day medical suspension.
O’Malley was in attendance at UFC 311 and ‘The Machine’ is expected to rematch him for his next title defense.