Merab Dvalishvili’s latest win at UFC 311 drew some glowing praise from a former opponent and future UFC Hall of Famer.

The training injury Merab Dvalishvili suffered ahead of UFC 311 was so severe that the Georgian felt compelled to hide it from a CSAC medical examiner.

Merab Dvalishvili didn't lie when he said he was compromised going into his successful UFC 311 bantamweight title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) sustained multiple

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia punches Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Recap Newsweek's UFC 311 fight night updates as reigning champions Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili retained their titles on a wild night at Intuit Dome.

Merab Dvalishvili has revealed that during UFC 311 pre-fight checks, he showed the commission the same leg twice to pass medical tests and hide his injury.

Islam Makhachev weighed 178 pounds the night of his UFC 311 victory Saturday — one day after registering at 154.5 pounds — when he submitted Renato Moicano in the first round, according to data obtained by The Post from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Something had to give Saturday night at Intuit Dome. In the UFC 311 co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili was making his first bantamweight title defense and riding an 11-fight winning streak. Umar Nurmagomedov entered the Octagon with his own eye-popping resume: Not only had the challenger never lost a fight in six UFC performances,

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili earned the first defense of his belt with a grueling decision over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

Coach John Wood paid tribute to Merab Dvalishvili after his man bounced back from a difficult fight camp to retain his bantamweight title at UFC 311.

A look at the disclosed fighter pay for Saturday's UFC 311 fight card, where defending champion Merab Dvalishvili earned the highest payout at $500,000.

Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his UFC bantamweight championship against the previously undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.