Merab Dvalishvili scored a life-changing win this weekend at Noche UFC in very dominant fashion. In fact, Dvalishvili was so dominant, winning four of five rounds on one judge’s card that there is no immediate rematch against Sean O’Malley. As such, social media and others speculated on the Georgian’s next opponent, including Joe Rogan.
Already, Dvalishvili’s title reign presents a friction point with the UFC, who want him to defend against Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov remains fresh off a dominant decision win against Cory Sandhagen in Abu Dhabi. Despite Nurmagomedov’s skill, the UFC fast-tracked the Russian to a title shot, giving him a number-one contender fight against Sandhagen whilst he was ranked tenth and despite promising Sandhagen a title shot.
Merab Dvalishvili Pushes Back on All Eastern Europe Fight
As soon as Dana White wrapped the belt around Dvalishvili, emotion overwhelmed him. He was nearly beside himself as Rogan asked him who he wanted to defend against in his first outing as champion.
“Let’s leave it like this, I’ve just won the belt,” Merab Dvalishvili said:
“I respect and I love Dana White [so it is] whatever he wants, I want to talk to him – of course we have a great relationship – but now I’m champion, I want him to know me better in my personal life.”
In the post fight scrum, Dvalishvili said he wanted to take on anyone the UFC offered him. However, he preferred former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo over Nurmagoedov.
“Whoever they want, I will fight next, but I want to talk to Dana, I want to become his friend… I want to fight the top of the top, you know,” Dvalishvili said. “I think Figueredo would be my fifth champion, he is more dangerous, knockout power, good Jiu-Jitsu makes people [go to] sleep.
“That’s why this fight excites me, gives me motivation, makes me work hard,” he said. “Umar is okay but I’m telling you guys, from the top 15 he’s only won one fight.”
Dvalishvili actually fought four straight champions including Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Sean O’Malley. With that strength of schedule, Dvalishvili has more than proved he can beat anyone in front of him. It may be odd that a fighter picks their first title defence, but he believes he earned the opportunity.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
