Islam Makhachev fires back at Merab Dvalishvili, backs Petr Yan to silence him

Islam Makhachev has fired back at Merab Dvalishvili over the Georgian fighter's criticism of the Russian flag being displayed in the UFC Octagon following Makhachev's title defense.

At UFC 330, Makhachev (29-1) successfully defended his welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Ian Garry. After the bout was declared, his team raised the Russian flag inside the Octagon—a display that drew public criticism from Dvalishvili (21-5), the former UFC bantamweight champion. Dvalishvili argued the gesture was unfair, claiming he is not permitted to raise the Georgian flag after his own victories. He also contended that the Russian flag is banned from most sporting events due to Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine.

Responding at a recent press conference, Makhachev dismissed Dvalishvili's complaints, suggesting the Georgian fighter has never been genuinely happy to see him succeed. Makhachev pointed out that Petr Yan, another Russian fighter, raised the Russian flag in the Octagon after defeating Dvalishvili last December—a result Dvalishvili has since disputed. With Yan scheduled to face Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi, Makhachev expressed confidence that his countryman will defeat Dvalishvili again and "silence him for good." "From the very beginning, he wasn't happy about my success in the Octagon," Makhachev stated. "But Petr Yan beat him and raised the flag in the Octagon. I think [Yan] will beat him again now and silence him for good."