Merab Dvalishvili has issued a furious rebuke of former UFC champion Petr Yan
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili has told former champ Petr Yan to “stay in Russia” following his heated rivalry with Dvalishvili's friend and training partner Aljamain Sterling.
Yan was defeated twice by American fighter Sterling, the first by controversial disqualification and once again in April by split decision after Sterling successfully stifled the attacks of the Russian standout.
The build-up to the rematch was marked by a series of contentious statements from Yan, who said that Sterling deserved an Academy Awards for feigning an injury in their first fight after Yan was disqualified for landing a clearly illegal knee strike to Sterling's head.
Dvalishvili was also enraged by Yan saying that he would “kill” Sterling in their second fight earlier this year; something the Georgian said made his teammate's win that much sweeter.
Furthermore, talking this week, Dvalishvili expounded on his abhorrence for Yan and said that he got what he merited when Sterling had his hand brought up in the Octagon a little while prior.
"In Jacksonville, we saw him at the lodging, however despite the fact that I was distraught at him, I tell him, 'You ought to zero in on battle. You have a battle tomorrow,'" Dvalishvili told MMA Fighting.
"[I said], 'I don't not believe anything should happen to your battle.' I needed to contend with him, and after...I needed to follow [him].
"He was referencing me, since I generally come clean about him, particularly Russian media asking me things. I'm consistently come clean with them ... I'm attempting to talk from my heart."
Dvalishvili has won seven straight battles in the UFC at 135lbs, a record which would make him an optimal competitor to take on Yan this year as he shifts focus over to restore his bantamweight certification and work towards a likely third battle with Sterling - however Dvalishvili adds that maybe Yan ought to remove an opportunity to work on his own abilities.
"At the point when Aljo won the initial three rounds, and later, Aljo surrendered the last two rounds, I said, 'It's OK, we win,'" Dvalishvili said. "'Appreciate with your loved ones. Try not to return. Remain in Russia.'"
What's more, the same length as Sterling remaining parts the boss, Dvalishvili says that he has zero desire to pursue the belt, however Sterling said that he would one day climb a division to permit his preparation accomplice a run at the gold.
"I'm honored, I have companions like him," Dvalishvili said of Sterling.
"What else might I at any point say? It as of now says everything. He's a genuine companion. He's awesome. I advance such a huge amount from him, I'm actually learning consistently. He's the explanation I battle where I battle now. We won't ever battle one another. I couldn't care less about the title. I don't even for one second consider the title yet. However long Aljo is the boss, he will be champion the length of he needs to be the hero."
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