"His whole shin became infected" - Merab Dvalishvili's coach shares horrific details of mystery leg and back injuries ahead of Umar Nurmagomedov fight

Merab Dvalishvili's coach John Wood revealed that the 34-year-old overcame severe injuries to defend his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. The fight at the Intuit Dome showcased Dvalishvili’s resilience and exceptional cardio as he secured his 12th consecutive win, solidifying his place as the division’s reigning king.

However, his journey to victory was far from smooth. A month before the fight, Dvalishvili suffered a deep cut on his shin while walking past bleachers.

Wood revealed in an interview with Submission Radio:

"Eventually got it stitched up, too late and the stitches busted and then he restitched it and then his whole shin became infected. It was a concern of even getting cleared you know for this fight. And the infection like a staph infection, you know, was gone but the skin... We got the commission to approve getting it wrapped…he was going to do the Luke Rockhold thing. Still, you know Merab’s like no I'm not going to show any kind of weakness I don't care it's fine, if it breaks open.”

Compounding his challenges, Dvalishvili also pinched a nerve in his back during a street workout, rendering him unable to walk for a week:

"His back, you know… he was out doing his workout in the street and he did jumped up the wrong way and then pinched a nerve or you know pinched and couldn't walk for a week. So I was like oh my God, you know and so it was just it was a complicated camp.”

Despite these setbacks, the Georgian fighter persevered, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision win against one of the division’s rising stars.

Check out John Wood open up on Merab Dvalishvili's injury below (7:08):

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John Wood shares insight on Merab Dvalishvili’s win over Umar Nurmagomedov

John Wood shared his thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili's impressive victory against Umar Nurmagomedov. Speaking in the same interview with Submission Radio, Wood praised Dvalishvili’s performance and said:

“If anything the only thing I'd say is maybe easier than expected but it was you know and Umar being easier than expected. That's not being disrespectful but just it's how you know how good Merab is and I really want people to start you know noticing that.”

Check out John Woods' comments below (6:42):