Merab Dvalishvili may have already leaked mystery injury teased ahead of UFC 311, seemingly caused by drunk assailant

Merab Dvalishvili was rumored to have been injured ahead of his UFC 311 clash with Umar Nurmagomedov. Now, video evidence has emerged, with potential information on the cause of said injury. Whether it will impair Dvalishvili's ability to defend his bantamweight title tomorrow is a question on everyone's mind.

Footage of his injury was leaked by ex-UFC middleweight Dong Hyun Kim, with whom the Georgian phenom has been training. He uploaded two videos that highlighted the injury, with one of them including the champion describing an altercation with an intoxicated assailant.

"Yeah, I show you. Some crazy guy [simulates running up to a window and kicking the metal frame]. This guy drinking, this guy [simulates smoking]."

Check out Merab Dvalishvili detailing his injury (9:03):

The injury in question was to the bantamweight champion's right shin, which seems to have been badly cut during the scuffle with the aforementioned assailant. An older video dated to Dec. 10, 2024, reveals the extent of the injury.

Check out Merab Dvalishvili's leg injury (23:49):

The injury may partially explain Dvalishvili's historical hesitation to fight Umar Nurmagomedov, with the other reason being his belief that the Dagestani star has not done enough to deserve a title shot. Nevertheless, the injury lends credence to the rumor that Dvalishvili was forced into taking the fight.

It is similar to the situation Aljamain Sterling faced when he took on Sean O'Malley. 'Funk Master' was vocal about being forced to take the fight under unfavorable circumstances, which included little recovery time, as he defeated Henry Cejudo in May, only to fight 'Sugar' as soon as in August.

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Merab Dvalishvili dismissed rumors of Umar Nurmagomedov being potentially injured as well

Unfortunately for the UFC 311 co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili isn't the only fighter rumored to be injured. His opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov, is said to be nursing an injury as well.

However, during an interview with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, the Georgian phenom scoffed at the rumor.

"He's bullsh*tting. He's a bulsh*t guy, and I'm not buying his bullsh*t, you know? His injury, like he has a little injury in his arm. I had an injury, big injury, but I'm not mentioning this, I'm not bring it up this one, you know? Everybody has injury, every professional fighter has an injury. He's bullsh*tting, you know, because he say he was training. I saw he was punching bags very good when he arrived in Vegas."

Check out Merab Dvalishvili's thoughts on Nurmagomedov's injury (0:43):

Both men are confident heading into UFC 311, with Dvalishvili eager to humble Nurmagomedov, who he considers disrespectful.