If Merab Dvalishvili wins at UFC 323, he’ll add a fourth title protection to his championship resume in 2025 and he’s already painfully near fully clearing out the bantamweight division. However does that imply featherweight is in his quick future?
Whereas Dvalishvili downplayed that risk after beating Cory Sandhagen in October, his head coach John Wooden acknowledges that requires a transfer to 145 kilos are undoubtedly getting louder. A fast take a look at the UFC’s bantamweight rankings present Dvalishvili has crushed 4 out of the highest 5 ranked fighters with two wins over Sean O’Malley and he’s now going for a second win over Petr Yan on Dec. 6.
That mentioned, Wooden believes Dvalishvili nonetheless has a “victory lap” to run at 135-pounds earlier than really contemplating a change in weight lessons.
“These questions [about featherweight] are already arising,” Wooden instructed MMA Combating. “For me, I need Merab to be the best bantamweight ever. In my thoughts, I don’t assume there’s a query, he already is. I simply don’t assume we’re going to see one other certainly one of him for some time. I believe he must beat everyone in that high 10 and hang around for some time, break the data after which when it is smart and it makes financial sense, it is smart for his legacy, then doubtlessly these issues come by.
“However there is no such thing as a level proper now. Making weight sucks, everyone hates making weight. He’s clearly not a fan of that, that’s the worst half however he’s nonetheless obtained to make weight if he goes as much as [145 pounds]. It’s not like he’s strolling round at 145. He’s nonetheless going to have to chop weight both manner. However there are some doubtlessly huge superfights if this stuff maintain going the way in which they go.”
The battle that stored Dvalishvili from presumably profitable the belt at bantamweight even sooner would additionally exist at featherweight now that his good friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling is ranked within the high 10 in that division.
However that’s not even within the thought course of now as a result of Wooden believes there are nonetheless loads of challenges to maintain Dvalishvili motivated and defending his bantamweight title.
That doesn’t imply the day gained’t come if Dvalishvili continues to run roughshod over the division that he gained’t contemplate a transfer as much as 145 kilos.
“I believe in two or three extra fights, then we’re making beginning to have these conversations,” Wooden mentioned. “However I believe we now have a straightforward three, 4 extra fights hopefully on this division earlier than that has to occur or any person comes and says ‘we’re going to offer you X quantity of {dollars} to combat this particular person for X’ and it’s a life altering state of affairs for him? I need his household’s children, children, children secured. You then begin making these varieties of selections the place it’s like that is price it.
“However I believe you’re going to see Merab break all of the data and I do assume we’ll see superfights sooner or later however proper now I wish to maintain him centered on what he must do. Straightforward three or 4 extra fights at bantamweight the place it is smart after which if we destroy everyone by there then it’s like all proper, let’s go up and take a look at this and go from there.”
First issues first, Dvalishvili has to get by Yan once more after he scored a lopsided choice win over the Russian of their first encounter.
Wooden expects Dvalishvili to get the job completed however similar to what occurred within the rematch with O’Malley again in June, he believes “The Machine” might do even higher the second time round.
“I don’t see a world the place Merab doesn’t win it,” Wooden mentioned in regards to the Yan combat. “Something can occur, I don’t attempt to shit discuss or attempt to diminish the ability set. Yan is a good fighter. Once more, I’m a giant fan of Petr Yan. If not for Merab, he’s in title rivalry identical factor with [Cory] Sandhagen. I’m a fan of those guys, I like watching them. I like their coaches. They’re very nicely coached guys.
“However I simply don’t see proper now, Merab has solely gotten higher — not saying Yan hasn’t gotten higher, I’m not in that camp, I don’t know. However Merab has gotten higher and by that point, he’ll get higher. When you return and watch what occurred in that [first] combat, this Merab finishes that Petr Yan no drawback in a number of alternative ways.”
