Islam Makhachev’s UFC 330 celebrations have sparked another response from Merab Dvalishvili. The former UFC bantamweight champion has posted a video on X to explain why he was upset after seeing a Russian flag inside the Octagon. Dvalishvili made it clear that his comments were not aimed at Makhachev personally.Instead, he said the issue was deeply connected to his Georgian background and his views about the Russian government. His latest message comes after Makhachev accused him of being unhappy with his success and suggested Petr Yan could silence him in their upcoming rematch.
Merab Dvalishvili explains why Islam Makhachev’s Russian flag upset him
Islam Makhachev made UFC history at UFC 330 after defeating Ian Machado Garry in the main event. The Russian fighter successfully defended his welterweight championship for the first time. During the celebrations, his team brought a Russian flag into the Octagon. That moment caught Merab Dvalishvili’s attention.He previously questioned why Makhachev could celebrate with his national flag when he had not been allowed to bring a Georgian or American flag into the cage during his own UFC title fights. Dvalishvili has now explained his position in detail.Dvalishvili has once again addressed the controversy in a video posted on X. This time, he stressed that he respects Makhachev and his achievements.“I like Islam Makhachev. I think he’s a great and humble champion. I respect all the hard work he has put into his career, I have nothing but respect for him.But when I saw his team bring the Russian flag into the Octagon, I was upset. And the reason I reacted that way is because, first during all five of my UFC title fights, I was never allowed to bring my Georgian or American flag into the cage”, He wrote.He continued, “Second reason for me, this is very personal because of what Russian politics and the Russian government have done to my country. Russia occupies around 20% of Georgia, and there has been a history of war, occupation, and suffering against my Georgian people… I also want to make one thing very clear: I don’t hate Russian people. I hate Russian politics and the Russian government. My problem is with the government and its actions, not with ordinary Russian people…. Reality is the Russian government is a dictatorship and corrupt. There is no freedom of speech and if you protest anything in Russia you go to jail. This is facts”.Dvalishvili’s message was also a response to the reaction from Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev reacted to Merab Dvalishvili’s comments
After returning to Dagestan with his belt, Islam Makhachev said he had seen Merab Dvalishvili’s reaction to the fight.“I saw the video of him watching the fight. From the very beginning he wasn’t happy at all about my success in the Octagon, but I don’t pay attention to things like that. He’s already spoken about this many times,” Makhachev said.Makhachev then brought Petr Yan into the discussion. He predicted that Yan would beat Dvalishvili again in their rematch and suggested the result would finally end the Georgian’s criticism.However, Dvalishvili’s latest video attempted to separate his personal respect for Makhachev from his political disagreement. He repeatedly stressed that his issue was with the Russian government and not Russian people or Makhachev himself.
