In the latest mixed martial arts news, Merab Dvalishvili has alleviated concerns regarding a toe injury that raised alarms ahead of his upcoming fight. The injury, which bears a resemblance to Conor McGregor’s notorious toe mishap, led to speculation about his availability for UFC 316. Dvalishvili shared a video of his swollen toe—resulting from a training accident involving a head kick—but reassured fans of his readiness, expressing that he would even consider fighting with a severed toe if necessary. “I was surprised at how much reaction there was from people reacting. Everybody was like [freaking out]. Guys, it’s nothing. Really, it’s nothing,” he said at a media event at Syndicate MMA.
While Dvalishvili appears set for his second title defense, frustration is mounting among fans regarding heavyweight champion Jon Jones. A petition urging UFC president Dana White to strip Jones of his title has gained significant traction, surpassing 150,000 signatures. The discontent stems from the lingering inactivity within the heavyweight division, especially as challenger Tom Aspinall has been vocal about wanting to unify the belts. Social media users are calling for White to address this issue, emphasizing that a showdown between Aspinall and Jones could be the biggest event for the UFC in 2025.
In other news, the rivalry between Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield is heating up as they prepare for their bout at UFC Vegas 107. Blanchfield recently expressed concerns that Barber might withdraw from the fight. In response, Barber defended her position, stating, “I think that Erin said that because Erin has absolutely nothing else to say… I’ve never pulled out of a fight for any reason other than health issues.” The back-and-forth bodes well for an electrifying matchup this weekend.
As UFC 316 approaches, Dvalishvili is determined to compete despite his injury, while Jones faces increasing scrutiny from fans. Meanwhile, the anticipation builds for the clash between Barber and Blanchfield, promising an exciting event in the MMA calendar.