UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili has vented his frustration after not being allowed to walk out with a Georgian flag for his recent fight.
Dvalishvili, 31, picked up the biggest win of his career last weekend by outpointing MMA legend Jose Aldo at UFC 278. The fight has put Dvalishvili in pole position to fight the winner of the upcoming bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and TJ Dillashaw. Dvalishvili has admitted he doesn't want to fight current champion Sterling, as the pair are good friends and training partners.
The UFC used to allow fighters to represent their countries during their ring walk, but made the decision to ban flags in late April. Dvalishvili was disappointed he couldn't show off his Georgian flag after beating Aldo, as he told The MMA Hour : "Why can't we bring our flags to the octagon? I started this sport because I wanted to represent my country internationally. I made it, but I can't bring my flag? I want to show people that I'm from a small country and make Georgians proud. Why can't I represent my country?
