Merab Dvalishvili is on high of the world proper now.
The Georgian champion is coming off of a profession greatest win over Umar Nurmagomedov and defending his bantamweight title. Dvalishvili stole the entire speaking factors at UFC 311.
Historically, Matchmaker Monday is reserved for the principle occasion winner. However given the character surrounding Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, it’s extra intriguing to take a look at the opposite title struggle that was on the cardboard.
Run it again: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2
Merab Dvalishvili captured his title from Sean O’Malley, the famous person the UFC wished to win badly. Dvalishvili dominated the struggle and took the unanimous choice victory.
O’Malley hasn’t fought since that struggle, which was September of final yr. Earlier than the struggle, he claimed that he was subsequent in line.
A rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley could not go any totally different than the primary. But when the UFC desires to place that rivalry to relaxation, they will. Ought to Dvalishvili win, O’Malley won’t ever hang-out him once more. If O’Malley wins, he will get a profession greatest win over Merab Dvalishvili who’s driving excessive after defeating Umar Nurmagomedov.
One other Rematch: Petr Yan
Merab Dvalishvili has practically cleared out the division earlier than he even captured the title. A kind of wins on the best way up was that of Petr Yan.
Yan drowned below the stress of Dvalishvili. The win took Yan extraordinarily off guard. However now Yan is again. Yan has defeated Track Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo in his final two fights. Figueiredo would have gotten the title shot ought to he have crushed Yan. He didn’t.
Petr Yan could not have regarded good towards Dvalishvili the primary time. However he fares higher than O’Malley in a hypothetical rematch.
The tremendous struggle: Alexandre Pantoja
Dare to be nice? Alexandre Pantoja has cleared 125. He’s beat seven fighters within the high 15 of the UFC’s flyweight rankings. A few of them he beat a number of occasions.
Pantoja could also be combating Kai Kara-France but, because the rumors go. However he’s hinted at a transfer north to struggle Sean O’Malley. He’s since backtracked that. However the lure of a shot to grow to be double champion is sort of irresistible.
Merab Dvalishvili and Alexandre Pantoja could be a correct tremendous struggle. Each fighters have title defenses and beat most of their division. This struggle is pretty much as good as it may possibly get.
