In a surprising revelation, Merab Dvalishvili`s head coach, John Wood, shared that he nearly withdrew Dvalishvili from his recent fight against Umar Nurmagomedov due to the severity of Merab`s health issues leading up to the bout.
Following his title-winning performance against Sean O`Malley, Dvalishvili quickly turned around to face rising contender Umar Nurmagomedov. While Nurmagomedov was seen as a significant challenge, possessing grappling skills that could test the champion, Dvalishvili faced an even greater adversary in his own physical condition.
“Merab was half-dead for that fight,” Wood disclosed. He explained that Dvalishvili was battling an open wound and a staph infection, requiring extensive antibiotic treatment—medication known to negatively impact athletic performance.
Wood admitted the situation was so critical that, left to his own judgment, he would have likely pulled Merab from the scheduled fight. This makes Dvalishvili`s eventual unanimous decision victory against Nurmagomedov, a performance where he arguably took over in the later rounds, even more impressive.
Despite his deep concern over Merab`s health and the debilitating effects of the infection and antibiotics, Wood witnessed Dvalishvili`s incredible resilience. He recounted seeing Merab, who could barely walk, still push through challenging sparring sessions, demonstrating his determination.
While Nurmagomedov later revealed he suffered a broken hand during the first round, Wood showed little sympathy, contrasting it with Merab`s far more severe, pre-fight condition. Wood noted that Nurmagomedov`s team had specifically pushed for that fight date, making any injury claims seem less significant given Merab`s state.
Wood strongly emphasized Merab`s character, stating that Dvalishvili embodies a “no excuses” philosophy. He affirmed that whether Merab wins or loses, he will never attribute the result to injury or external factors, drawing a contrast with other fighters who often cite physical issues.
This unwavering toughness and relentless pressure are hallmarks of Dvalishvili`s style and will undoubtedly play a role in his anticipated rematch with Sean O`Malley. Regardless of the opponent or his own condition, Dvalishvili`s coach knows he will always show up ready to fight, driven by a deep passion for competing as frequently as the UFC allows.
