“Merab and Corey this year will be enough to fight for the title,” the Russian wrote on the social network.
“Food for Umar,” Islam Makhachev supported his comrade.
At UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio, Corey Sandhagen won a split decision over Marlon Vera, and Merab Dvalishvili won a dominant unanimous decision over former division champion Petr Yan two weeks earlier.
As for Umar Nurmagomedov, the undefeated Russian fighter won his fourth UFC victory in January, knocking out Brazilian Raoni Barcelos in the first round.