Dvalishvili On Nurmagomedov's Shanghai KO Loss

Merab Dvalishvili says he took no pleasure in watching Umar Nurmagomedov get knocked out by Song Yadong in Shanghai, despite their bitter rivalry.

Nurmagomedov suffered the first stoppage loss of his career when Song landed a perfectly timed uppercut at UFC Shanghai in August, according to Sherdog. The knockout marked a stunning upset in the bantamweight division and opened new title paths for both Song and the former champion Dvalishvili.

"When I see Umar lose that way, I was not happy because I never wish somebody to lose or get KO'd like this," Dvalishvili said in a recent interview, per Sherdog. "I was not happy, but I was excited for Song Yadong because he is the new contender now." The Georgian praised Song's performance and called the Chinese striker dangerous, adding that a matchup between them excites him because of Song's knockout power.

Dvalishvili dropped the bantamweight title to Petr Yan this past December after three successful defenses. He faces Yan in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi, and told reporters he wants Song next if he reclaims the belt. The former champ beat Nurmagomedov in his first title defense last year after initially resisting the matchup, claiming the Dagestani had been fast-tracked because of his family connection to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Song now sits as the division's top contender after handing Nurmagomedov his second career loss and first by stoppage. Dvalishvili called him "new blood" and said they have never fought, making the potential clash fresh territory at 135 pounds.