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.

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,

Merab Dvalishvili is set for the first defense of his UFC bantamweight title against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov this Saturday at UFC 311 in Los Angeles. In the buildup to the fight, heated accusations of disrespect have come from both camps.