Dana White reacts to Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 310 chaos: “He’s my mini-sean strickland”

A fiery altercation, Dana White’s biting commentary, and a fighter who’s ready to brawl anywhere—Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 310 controversy has fans and officials on edge. Can he keep his fire focused for his upcoming battle with Umar Nurmagomedov?

A Fiery Altercation Steals the Spotlight

Merab Dvalishvili, known for his unpredictable personality, caused a stir at UFC 310 after a backstage clash with a fan. The incident unfolded as Dvalishvili accompanied Aljamain Sterling following his fight against Movsar Evloev. Tempers flared, with security stepping in to separate Dvalishvili from the fan, while another of Sterling’s coaches got into a fistfight. The chaos, caught on video, left fans and officials buzzing about the bantamweight’s explosive temperament.

Dana White’s Take: “Merab’s That Guy”

UFC CEO Dana White didn’t mince words when addressing the situation. “He’s my mini-[Sean] Strickland. Without the mouth,” White joked at the post-fight press conference. While acknowledging that such incidents are part of the fight business, White warned that tangling with fans could result in serious financial repercussions. “You can’t keep fighting with fans. It’s going to cost you a lot of money,” White cautioned, adding that fighters like Merab thrive on confrontation.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Could Step In

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) is expected to review the incident. Dvalishvili, licensed as Sterling’s cornerman for the event, falls under the commission’s jurisdiction. Similar situations in the past, such as Arman Tsarukyan’s fan altercation at UFC 300, resulted in fines and suspensions. Given Dvalishvili’s history—he previously clashed with a heckler during the Craig Jones Invitational in August—disciplinary action might be on the horizon.

Pattern of Confrontation: A Fight Anywhere, Anytime

White shared that Dvalishvili’s aggressive tendencies are nothing new. At the UFC 311 kickoff press conference, Merab was seen locking eyes with a heckler mid-conversation, seemingly ready to escalate the situation. “He’s built that way,” White said, describing Dvalishvili’s unwavering readiness to defend himself. “We even had to move him to another section during the event to avoid trouble—but he still found a way to get into it.”

Lessons from Strickland’s Infamous Antics

White compared the incident to Sean Strickland’s 2023 clash with Dricus du Plessis, where Strickland jumped over seats to confront his opponent in front of fighters and fans. To prevent a similar debacle, White separated Dvalishvili from his next opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov, placing them in different sections of the arena. Despite the precautions, the chaos surrounding Dvalishvili proves that even the best-laid plans can unravel.

Mind Games or Mismanagement?

Speculation arose about whether Dvalishvili’s behavior was a deliberate tactic to rattle Nurmagomedov ahead of their UFC 311 showdown on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. White dismissed this idea, stating, “Merab’s fighting people in the stands. That’s just who he is.” Instead, White highlighted how fighters often embrace conspiratorial thinking, channeling paranoia into their performances in the Octagon.

A Double-Edged Sword for Merab’s Career

While Dvalishvili’s fiery demeanor makes him a fan favorite, it also risks becoming a liability. As he gears up to face Nurmagomedov, his clashes outside the cage could overshadow his fighting prowess. With the potential for disciplinary action looming, Dvalishvili needs to walk a fine line between his passionate personality and professionalism.