While UFC 311 is now behind us, the tension between Umar Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili continues to unfold. In the co-main event last week, the 135lbs kingpin shocked the MMA community by pulling off a massive upset. The Georgian systematically crippled the Dagestani’s gas tank within just two rounds of their five-round battle, defying the odds and silencing predictions.

Yet, this rivalry has now spilled outside the Octagon. Fresh off his victory, Dvalishvili took to social media to reignite tensions with the Dagestani prospect. He cleverly responded to an old post Umar Nurmagomedov had made last year on X, where ‘Young Eagle’ shared a picture alongside UFC CEO Dana White and Hunter Campbell with the caption, “Thank you for the gift.”

At the time, the comment was viewed as a jab towards the Georgian export, implying the fight was an easy win. The Georgian’s response? He edited the photo, replacing Umar’s face with his own, turning the post into a mocking celebration of his victory. The post quickly went viral, sparking laughter among fans and MMA fighters alike. Former champion and close friend Aljamain Sterling, 145lbs contender Diego Lopes, and color commentator Laura Sanko were just a few who couldn’t hide their amusement at Dvalishvili’s clever trolling.

This wasn’t the first time Dvalishvili targeted Umar and his title aspirations. Months earlier, ‘The Machine’ took to Instagram, playfully portraying himself as a “professor” schooling fans on why he believed ‘Young Eagle’ didn’t deserve a title shot. He questioned Nurmagomedov’s credentials, pointing out that apart from #4-ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen, Umar had yet to face any top-tier contenders. The Georgian also accused him of having a “title shot served to his bed like a breakfast,” delivering the jab with a comedic twist as the ‘professor’ casually ate a burger.

Merab Dvalishvili calls out the “truth” about Umar Nurmagomedov

Dagestani fighters are known for their dominant presence in combat sports, and being from the Nurmagomedov family only enhances that reputation. The legacy, initiated by UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov and shaped by his late father Abdulmanap, has created a powerful trend in the UFC. Today, it’s commonplace to see Dagestani athletes across multiple divisions, thanks in large part to Khabib’s martial arts school. This influence has made Dagestani fighters a focal point for UFC CEO Dana White. While this trend has been simmering for some time, it came to the forefront with Khabib’s cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov.

Last summer in Abu Dhabi, Umar earned a dominant victory over Cory Sandhagen, catapulting him to the #3 spot in the bantamweight division. But his rapid rise hasn’t sat well with everyone, including reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ voiced his concerns about Umar’s quick ascent, pointing out that his last five opponents were not highly ranked. He accused the Dagestani prospect of benefiting from nepotism and suggested that his success was more about Khabib’s influence than his competition.

Dvalishvili expressed his frustration, saying, “Who is fighting debuting guys, and who got a gift to fight the No. 2 [contender]? Nobody, only Umar. That was my problem. I like to talk truth. I always say, ‘If UFC wants it, sure.’ But he has to fight more. He takes a short way and takes shortcuts. There are so many good fighters here like Mario Bautista. He deserves more. I guess he doesn’t have a cousin like Khabib.”

Now, all eyes are on Umar Nurmagomedov and Team Khabib as they get ready to respond to Merab Dvalishvili’s sharp jab. We’ll keep you updated, so stay tuned!