Fighters are jockeying for position, each claiming they deserve the next title shot. In the midst of this chaos, one man’s opinion carries significant weight. Enter Merab Dvalishvili, the Georgian powerhouse set to challenge Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight crown. ‘The Machine’ recently shared his thoughts on the division’s landscape. His words have sent ripples through the MMA community.
Dvalishvili’s take on the next title contender might surprise fans. It’s not who you think. The man known for his relentless pace in the octagon has a clear vision. In a recent interview with Helen Yee, Dvalishvili dropped a bombshell. He dismissed Umar Nurmagomedov’s claim as the next title challenger. This is despite Nurmagomedov’s impressive win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Abu Dhabi.
“Umar won his fight, good for him. I want to focus on this O’Malley fight… After this, whoever the UFC decides will be next for a title shot I will fight. I think [Deiveson] Figueiredo deserves it more [than Nurmagomedov] because he beat a former world champion. He dominated ‘Chito’… He beat three top contenders,” said Dvalishvili.
Figueiredo’s recent performances seem to have won Dvalishvili over. The Brazilian has been on a tear since moving up to bantamweight. He’s racked up wins against Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera. It seems ‘The Machine’ values the quality of wins over hype.
This opinion puts Merab Dvalishvili at odds with Umar Nurmagomedov, who apparently was promised a title shot if he won against the #2 ranked Cory Sandhagen. Of course, all of this speculation, and a lot of it, hinges on Dvalishvili’s upcoming fight. He must first dethrone Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September. No small task, considering O’Malley’s striking prowess.
Merab Dvalishvili Talks About Not Inviting Mark Zuckerberg To Corner Him
In the high-octane world of UFC, fighters often seek every advantage they can get. Some turn to celebrity cornermen for that extra edge or publicity boost. But Merab Dvalishvili, the Georgian powerhouse, is marching to the beat of his own drum. Fight fans are buzzing with anticipation as the countdown to UFC 306 begins.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MMA stories via Google! Follow Us
Dvalishvili is set to challenge Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title. Amidst the pre-fight hype, an intriguing question arose. Would Dvalishvili invite Mark Zuckerberg to his corner? His presence at fights has become a hot topic of conversation. In the above-mentioned interview with Helen Yee, Dvalishvili addressed this burning question.
“I was thinking of asking [Zuckerberg] to corner me, but I know Sean O’Malley knows him too… I don’t want to put Mark Zuckerberg [in that position], I don’t want to make him uncomfortable,” Dvalishvili said.
This moment of reflection speaks volumes about Dvalishvili’s character. He’s not just thinking about his own interests. The fighter is considering the comfort and position of others involved. Merab Dvalishvili‘s decision stands out in today’s celebrity-obsessed sports culture. He’s choosing loyalty and comfort over star power and potential publicity. It’s an old-school approach that’s endearing to many fans.
Also Read: Daniel Cormier Ignites Controversy, Accuses UFC Of Shielding Alex Pereira From Magomed Ankalaev
