Dvalishvili will also need to be mindful inside of scrambles given his propensity to expose his back when returning to standing positions. As Nurmagomedov has already shown in the octagon, the Dagestani fighter is incredibly systematic and effective when it comes to breaking down his opponents from rear mount and riding positions.

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili went back to work a little quicker than anybody anticipated, returning from a title win in September to a title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov this Saturday at UFC 311 - and Umar's cousin Khabib believes he knows why.

For all of the chaos that Merab Dvalishvili typically brings to the Octagon in the form of his endless cardio, spamming wrestling attack and constant forward pressure, his critics are starting to wonder whether the Georgian star is causing too much of it for his own good outside of the cage,

The first title fight of 2025 is set after Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov made weight Friday for UFC 311.

Champions Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili will be wearing their own personalized fight shorts when they enter the cage for their matchups at UFC 311.

UFC 311 has finally reached an apex and we're set for a betting prediction and pick as we decide the Co-Main Event. The Bantamweight (135) Title will be on the line as Champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia will take on No. 2 Umar Nurmagomedov of Dagestan. Check the UFC odds series for our Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov prediction and pick.

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,

Henry Cejudo gave Umar Nurmagomedov some insight ahead of UFC 311. Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in Saturday's co-main event (pay-per-view,