UFC champion Belal Muhammad faced backlash from fans after claiming that his close friend and training partner Umar Nurmagomedov won three out of the five rounds against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event of UFC 311. Fans accused him of bias and questioned his objectivity. This controversy only added to the hostility towards Muhammad, with some fans even reminding him of his own loss at UFC 304.
The Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Controversy: A Deeper Dive
The recent UFC 311 co-main event between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov sparked controversy after UFC champion Belal Muhammad claimed that Nurmagomedov won three out of the five rounds. This sparked backlash from fans who accused Muhammad of bias and questioned his objectivity.
Background:
Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian-American wrestler and mixed martial artist who fights in the Bantamweight division of the UFC. He is known for his dominant wrestling and stifling ground game.
Umar Nurmagomedov is a Russian wrestler and mixed martial artist who is the cousin of former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He is also a highly-skilled wrestler and grappler.
The Fight and Controversy:
The UFC 311 co-main event between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov was a highly anticipated clash between two of the most promising grapplers in the UFC. The fight was closely contested, but Dvalishvili ultimately emerged victorious via a unanimous decision.
However, Muhammad's claim that Nurmagomedov won three of the five rounds drew widespread criticism from fans. Many believed that Dvalishvili had clearly won the fight and that Muhammad was biased towards his training partner.
Fan Reaction:
The controversy only added to the hostility towards Muhammad, with some fans even reminding him of his own loss at UFC 304. Many fans questioned Muhammad's credibility as a commentator and accused him of lacking objectivity.
Muhammad's Response:
Muhammad responded to the backlash by doubling down on his claim. He insisted that he "saw what he saw" and that Nurmagomedov had "out-grappled" Dvalishvili. However, he acknowledged that many fans did not agree with his assessment.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q: Who won the fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov? A: Merab Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.
Q: Why did Belal Muhammad claim that Nurmagomedov won? A: Muhammad claimed that Nurmagomedov out-grappled Dvalishvili and won three of the five rounds.
Q: Why did fans criticize Muhammad's claim? A: Fans believed that Dvalishvili had clearly won the fight and accused Muhammad of bias towards his training partner.
Q: What was Muhammad's response to the criticism? A: Muhammad doubled down on his claim, insisting that he "saw what he saw."
Q: What is the significance of this controversy? A: The controversy highlights the importance of objectivity in sports commentary and the potential for bias in the UFC.
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