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 all the speaking factors at UFC 311.
Historically, Matchmaker Monday is reserved for the primary occasion winner. However given the character surrounding Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, it’s extra intriguing to have a look at the opposite title battle 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 celebrity the UFC needed to win badly. Dvalishvili dominated the battle and took the unanimous resolution victory.
O’Malley hasn’t fought since that battle, which was September of final yr. Earlier than the battle, he claimed that he was subsequent in line.
A rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley could not go any completely different than the primary. But when the UFC needs to place that rivalry to relaxation, they’ll. 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 using 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 type of wins on the way in which up was that of Petr Yan.
Yan drowned underneath the strain of Dvalishvili. The win took Yan extraordinarily off guard. However now Yan is again. Yan has defeated Music 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 seemed good in opposition to Dvalishvili the primary time. However he fares higher than O’Malley in a hypothetical rematch.
The tremendous battle: 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 preventing Kai Kara-France but, because the rumors go. However he’s hinted at a transfer north to battle Sean O’Malley. He’s since backtracked that. However the lure of a shot to change into double champion is almost irresistible.
Merab Dvalishvili and Alexandre Pantoja could be a correct tremendous battle. Each fighters have title defenses and beat most of their division. This battle is nearly as good as it might probably get.