“Merab, congratulations!” the Russian wrote on social media, addressing the Georgian fighter. “You deserve a title fight, and I think you will become the champion. White Pope vs. Black Pope at the end of the year.”
UFC head honcho Dana White confirmed after the event that Dvalishvili will be the next opponent for the winner of the title fight between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera, which headlines UFC 299 in Miami on March 9.
Undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov has four wins under the UFC banner, most recently knocking out Brazilian Raoni Barcelos in the first round, and the Russian will next fight on March 2 against Kazakhstan’s Bekzat Almakhan, the organization’s debutant.