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Merab Dvalishvili’s management team, KOReps, has revealed in an X post that the Georgian will act as the backup fighter for this Saturday’s title fight between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera.
The post reads;
“[Plane] booked @MerabDvalishvil is headed to Miami tmrw for #UFC299 as the official title fight back up. Let’s make it pink panty night! #MiamiMerab”
Undeniably, Merab Dvalishvili has steamrolled his way to the top. Currently on a 10-fight win streak and serving as the number-one contender in the bantamweight division.
The Steamroller: Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili last fought at UFC 298. After a convincing unanimous decision win over former two-weight world champion Henry Cejudo, Dana White revealed in the post-UFC 298 press conference that Dvalishvili is nearing a title shot.
“Oh yeah [the title fight was offered]. He [Merab Dvalishvili] could have that fight tomorrow.”
Even after his win over Cejudo, the 32-year-old has stayed prepared for a moment like this.
Dvalishvili told Demetrious Johnson on the MIGHTYcast;
“Usually, after weight cuts, you’re just hungry, crazy, you’re sore, next week you usually feel it and you don’t even want to go to the gym. Now, I feel like I missed it. Today I was at the gym, sparring, and training, I love it. Hopefully, the next fight will be soon.”
Merab Dvalishvili on Being Next In Line For a Title Shot
Accordingly, Merab Dvalishvili is almost nailed on to fight the winner of either Sean O’Malley or Marlon Vera. The red-hot Georgian welcomes a fight with either, as both ‘Suga’ and ‘Chito’ pose different challenges.
On the MIGHTYcast, Dvalishvili said;
“I see [Sean O’Malley] as a dangerous opponent because he has good footwork, he has knockout power, he has a very strong right hand, and he has good timing. I see him as a dangerous fighter. Once he won on the Contender Series and I saw him in the UFC, I wanted to fight him because I want to challenge myself and I’m still looking that way.”
Dvalishvili also weighed in on a potential matchup with Vera by saying;
“I think ‘Chito’ is also a good fighter. Very smart, he’s waiting in his pocket, he’s patient. He’s slow, but he’s sharp. Of course, he has a lot of experience in the UFC, he’s been in so many fights, won and lost. He’s dangerous, he has good kicks as well.”
At last, all eyes are now on Saturday. Perhaps ‘The Machine’ will even make an appearance in the octagon.
Quotes are taken from Mighty Mouse YouTube.
