T.J. Dillashaw touts ex-UFC rival as Merab Dvalishvili’s toughest test

T.J. Dillashaw has an unpopular opinion on UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili’s hardest battle.

Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) retained his bantamweight title when he outlasted Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) by unanimous resolution within the UFC 311 co-main occasion.

Former champion Dillashaw sees Dvalishvili ruling over the 135-pound division for some time. Nevertheless, he did surprisingly choose former foe Cody Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) as doubtlessly the champion’s sternest check – regardless of “No Love” having misplaced three of his previous 5.

“I want to see Garbrandt battle him finally as soon as Garbrandt will get a few wins again underneath his belt,” Dillashaw stated on the “JAXXON PODCAST.” “Garbrandt can wrestle, dude. After I skilled with Garbrandt lots, he’s so f*cking quick.

“He’s like a cat on his ft. He’s laborious to take down, and as quickly as he will get his confidence again, he hits like a truck, he’s sooner than – I believe he might do actually good if he can get a run going, believing in himself, he could possibly be a risk.”

Dillashaw, who completed Garbrandt in back-to-back title fights, explains the reasoning behind his choose and what it would take to dethrone Dvalishvili.

“You’ve acquired to search out somebody who’s acquired the wrestling,” Dillashaw continued. “Why Umar is such a risk is as a result of Umar can wrestle. To beat Merab, you’ve acquired to wrestle as a result of he’s going to shoot, he’s going to shoot, he’s going to shoot, and then you definately acquired to have the ability to outstrike him. He’s acquired good putting expertise, however he’s not like a striker. So, that’s why I say somebody like Garbrandt.”