Dvalishvili defends UFC 330 reaction, citing Russian flag and Georgia's occupation

Merab Dvalishvili issued a public statement on Wednesday distancing himself from any personal conflict with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, after a clip emerged of Makhachev accusing the Georgian fighter of belittling his success following his title defence against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.

Dvalishvili said his visible displeasure during the fight had nothing to do with Makhachev’s performance and everything to do with the Russian flag being carried into the Octagon by the champion’s team.

“I like Islam Makhachev,” Dvalishvili wrote. “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. I congratulated Islam after the fight. I also congratulated him on my social media.”

He added that his own experience informed the reaction: across all five of his UFC title fights, he said, he was never permitted to bring a Georgian or American flag into the cage.

Dvalishvili was direct about the distinction he draws between the Russian state and its people. “I don’t hate Russian people. I hate Russian politics and Russian government,” he said, before outlining a history of Russian occupation that he traced back to the 1500s, including the current occupation of roughly 20 percent of Georgian territory, past violence in Chechnya, and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“My problem is with the government and its actions, not with ordinary Russian people,” he said. “The Russian media is always asking me provocative questions, but they will never translate this video honestly or show what I’m actually saying, because it doesn’t fit the narrative they want to create.”

Dvalishvili also addressed the Caucasus region more broadly, expressing respect for the distinct identities and cultures of Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia — the homelands of several fighters in Makhachev’s training circle. While he acknowledged an ongoing feud with Makhachev training partner Umar Nurmagomedov, he was clear that animosity does not extend to Makhachev himself.

The former bantamweight champion is scheduled to challenge Russia’s Petr Yan in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 on October 24.