UFC champion compares himself to Jon Jones and Mike Tyson forward of UFC 311

Merab Dvalishvili has mentioned he appears like Conor McGregor in his new life as a world champion.

Dvalishvili additionally in contrast the backlash he has obtained since turning into a UFC champion to what Jon Jones and Mike Tyson as soon as acquired.

The 33-year-old was topped the UFC bantamweight champion after dominating Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September.

Dvalishvili misplaced his first two fights in Dana White’s promotion, however launched into a 10-fight profitable streak to earn his first shot at UFC gold.

‘The Machine’ is now considered as one of many deadliest bantamweights on the earth, having averaged over six takedowns per combat in his UFC profession.

Nevertheless, Dvalishvili faces an identical opponent in Russia’s undefeated Umar Nurmagmomedov for his fist title defence at UFC 311.

It’s the UFC’s first pay-per-view occasion of 2025 on January 19 as Islam Makhachev makes it two title fights on the night time along with his major occasion bout towards Arman Tsarukyan.

“It’s been good,” Dvalishvili instructed ESPN MMA about his life since turning into a world champion.

“However since I turned champion I’ve gained plenty of drama too. Plenty of speaking, possibly as a result of everybody wished to see me combat Umar.

“The final couple of fights I’ve gotten plenty of consideration, folks recognise me however give hate on Instagram and on social media which may be very laborious for me.

“In order that was additional strain but it surely’s all good, now I’m good and centered on the combat [with Nurmagomedov].”

Dvalishvili was on the centre of a number of altercations with UFC followers in 2024.

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At UFC 310 in December, he cornered long-term good friend Aljamain Sterling for his defeat to Russia’s Movsar Evloev on the preliminary card.

The defeat led to the group hurling abuse at Sterling’s teaching employees, which prompted one member of the workforce to punch a fan who was in attendance.

Dvalishvili was subsequently escorted out of the T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas by safety, alongside the opposite members of the workforce, following the incident.

The altercation led to UFC President Dana White warning Dvalishvili that it’ll ‘value you a large number’ if he retains preventing with followers. 

“One of the best ways now could be I ought to keep busy and take fights,” Dvalishvili added, when requested about how he navigates the hate he receives.

“That’s it as a result of I used to be gonna take pleasure in a while however now I really feel like I’m Conor McGregor, plenty of drama comes.

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“Even Jon Jones and Mike Tyson used to get plenty of drama earlier than, and I’m like: ‘The place is that this coming from?’, the identical man doing the identical issues, but it surely’s all good.”

McGregor is likely one of the most controversial fighters in UFC historical past, as a result of his outspoken nature and distinctive character.

Issues acquired even worse for the Irishman too after he was discovered chargeable for sexual assault in a Excessive Court docket civil case introduced by Nikita Hand in November.

Jones has additionally been on the receiving finish of relentless hate throughout his profession as one in all MMA’s largest stars.

He has beforehand examined constructive for performance-enhancing medication or PEDs, and the banned anabolic steroid, Turinabol, which helps muscle groups develop and develop into stronger.

At the start of 2024, Dvalishvili was concerned in one other altercation when he jumped into the stands to confront a heckler throughout a distinct UFC occasion.

Dvalishvili revealed that the fan was taunting him with references to O’Malley, who he was victorious over at UFC 306.

“He is my mini Strickland with out the mouth,” White mentioned of Dvalishvili’s behaviour.

“What do you do? Let him purchase the pay-per-view, I suppose. I imply, I do not know. You may’t maintain preventing with f***ing followers.

“It is gonna value you a large number. You are able to do it. It is gonna value you some huge cash, proper?

“Pay attention, man, I say it on a regular basis. We’re within the f***ing combat enterprise. This occurs. We gotta take care of it.”