The UFC 310 event witnessed moments of excitement and controversy, both inside and outside the octagon. Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili attended the event to support his friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling, who lost to Movsar Evloev by unanimous decision. However, the highlight of the evening occurred outside the cage when Merab was involved in an altercation with a fan in the stands.
The Confrontation in the Stands
Reports suggest that the individual involved in the altercation is closely associated with Umar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of legendary fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov and Merab’s next opponent. Dvalishvili claimed on a post on “X” (formerly Twitter) that the incident was part of a “premeditated provocation” orchestrated by Umar’s team.
He shared a video showing the fan in several pictures alongside Umar and his team members, alleging that the altercation stemmed from “alleged disrespect” towards Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Dana White Reacts to the Incident
UFC President Dana White commented on the incident during the post-fight press conference, noting that this isn’t the first time Merab has found himself in such situations. She remarked:
“We always try to defuse these situations, and we have plans in place, but with Merab, things can spiral out of control. Maybe we should keep him away from events where he’s not fighting.”
She jokingly added: “He’s like a mini-Strickland, but without the trash talk. We’re in the fight business, but brawls outside the cage will cost you a lot.”
Looking Ahead
As Merab gears up for a crucial showdown with Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on January 18, tensions between the two camps are at an all-time high. This fight is expected to be one of the most anticipated bouts, not just because of the title on the line but also due to the controversy fueling the rivalry.
Can Merab channel his energy and focus inside the octagon, or will the distractions affect his performance? Time will tell!
