Why UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili would face Sean O'Malley in November

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili would prefer a full training camp to fight Umar Nurmagomedov.

Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) captured the 135-pound title when he defeated Sean O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) by unanimous decision at UFC 306 in September. No. 1 contender Nurmagomedov has been pestering him about a fight date, but Dvalishvili said he would be willing to fight him in March – if Nurmagomedov can't compete because of Ramadan.

But what bothered Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and many others was Dvalishvili offering O'Malley a rematch in November. Dvalishvili explains the reasons for his call.

“I've fought him before and it's easy to come back because we're both in the same situation,” Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie about fighting O'Malley again. “We both fought on September 14 and both resigned on the same day. But if someone else was ready for me, prepared for me, that's a different story.

“With O'Malley it's easy because we're both in the same situation. That's why I told him that we could do a quick turnaround in November. That shouldn't be a problem because three weeks after my win over Henry Cejudo I was ready to fight O'Malley or “Chito” Vera, but someone new, someone with a different style. Yes, I need time. I need two or three months.”

Dvalishvili revealed that the UFC had mentioned December for his first title defense against Nurmagomedov, but he told them it was still too early. He's willing to compromise and fight early next year, but the criticism bothers him a little – considering he only became champion just over a month ago.

“I think I will be ready in February,” Dvalishvili said. “I’d like to fight in February, so that’s it, and I want to fight three times next year. I want to keep busy, but I just became champion and I don’t understand why they want that – I just want to relax.”