Merab Dvalishvili addresses staph infection rumors as UFC doctors interrupt interview with 'impromptu' visit
05/09/2024 11:32
As MMA fans countdown to UFC 306: O'Malley vs Dvalishvili at The Sphere, there has been some serious speculation in the community that the Georgian title challenger could be suffering from a nasty staph infection on his arm.
The potential infection is the latest of a string of issues that have hit the Merab Dvalishvili camp in recent weeks, with 17-4 bantamweight now addressing the speculation surrounding the latest UFC 306 talking point – albeit after having an interview interrupted by UFC doctors for that exact issue.
UFC fans believe they've spotted signs of staph infection on Merab Dvalishvili
Earlier in the week, Merab Dvalishvili posted an image of himself to his Instagram page, showing off some new official apparel in anticipation of his title shot at UFC 306 – and it must be said, the latest merchandise drop looks absolutely fantastic.
What didn't look fantastic, however, was The Machine's left arm as fans were quick to point out what they believed to be signs of a staph infection.
Replies to the post including "Brother nice staph," "What is this in your arm???", "Nice staph homie," and "Is that staph I see Merab," – promoting various MMA YouTubers and social media pages to also point out the potential infection online.
Merab Dvalishvili addresses rumors he has a staph infection ahead of UFC 306
Only a few hours after news of the potential staph infection hit the MMA airwaves, Dvalishvili would sit down with New York Post Sports for an interview; one that was shockingly interrupted by the UFC doctors.
At around the 3:20 mark, the video shows a timelapse of Dvalishvili getting an impromptu check-up from the UFC medical staff, even taking off his shirt to show the doctors his left arm.
"I'm sorry my friend, the UFC doctors are just checking me out – they were looking at this, [pointing to his arm] nothing, they thought I have a ring or something but I'm good."
Interviewer Scott Fontana was listening to the conversation between Dvalishvili and the UFC doctors; quick to question why the medical officials had themselves mentioned something around an 'anti-fungal infection'.
"I took a picture, and a lot of people commented 'Oh he has this' – they thought I have a staph infection but I'm good man, nothing," argued Dvalishvili as he showed his arm, with no apparent signs of infection being present.
"I don't have nothing, nothing – as you see there is no staph infection."
According to Fontana, the doctors were also checking up on the cut that Dvalishvili suffered in training a few weeks ago; an injury that the Georgian took upon himself to snip out the stitches from last week.
"It's good, it's good," said Dvalishvili on the cut, before stating "We're gonna use more cream to heal up [the] cut, the cut is done, we're just going to use more cream to just help heal up you know."
Whilst it should be noted that Dvalishvili would never publicly admit to having a staph infection so close to a world title fight anyway, the few frames in which his arm was in shot didn't appear to show any redness around the suspected area.
UFC 306 goes down live from The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14.
