Islam Makhachev, Merab Dvalishvili trade barbs over hoisting Russian flag at UFC 330
Credit: Ed Mulholland/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Merab Dvalishvili questioned why Islam Makhachev was allowed to don a Russian flag in the Octagon after his UFC 330 victory.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev drew the ire of Merab Dvalishvili following his win at UFC 330 earlier this month.
Makhachev, who defeated Ian Machado Garry to retain the UFC welterweight championship, donned a Russian flag inside the Octagon during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. Beginning with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UFC disallowed fighters from representing Russia in their bios, as well as donning national flags inside the Octagon.
What started with a ban on fighters bringing Russian flags into the Octagon then expanded to all nationalities. But UFC CEO Dana White ended the promotion’s ‘flag ban’ in 2023 after an uproar from fighters and fans.
Fast forward to 2026, and Dvalishvili was outraged watching Makhachev’s post-fight theatrics at UFC 330.
Islam Makhachev predicts Merab Dvalishvili’s downfall after Russian flag criticism
In a recent collaboration with influencer Nina Drama, Dvalishvili reacted to Makhachev’s post-fight celebration with a Russian flag.
“I thought they didn’t allow a flag in there? This flag is banned everywhere in the world! And now they show it at the UFC? That’s crazy,” Dvalishvili said of Makhachev.
After Dvalishvili’s comments went viral, Makhachev was pressed about them during a recent interview with Ushatayka and other media outlets.
“I saw his reaction – I saw the video of him watching the fight. From the very beginning, he wasn’t happy at all about my success in the Octagon, but I don’t pay attention to things like that. He’s already spoken about this many times,” Makhachev replied to Dvalishvili.
“But Petr Yan, after beating him and raising the flag in the Octagon, I think he’ll beat him again now and finally make him shut up.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Dvalishvili will return to the Octagon at UFC 333 for a trilogy bout against UFC bantamweight champ Petr Yan.
Who should Islam Makhachev fight next after UFC 330? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
