Merab Dvalishvili in victory in the UFC (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC)
After the dominant victory over Henry Cejudo No. UFC 298, Merab Dvalishvili said he has no doubt that he will be the next challenger for the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg). In an interview with 'MMA Fighting', the Georgian stated that the UFC matchmaker secured his position while still in the locker room of the event held last Saturday (17) and was even willing to be Sean O'Malley's reserve fighter x Marlon Vera.
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“Yes, I believe (that he will fight for the bantamweight belt). After the fight (with Henry Cejudo), Sean Shelby (UFC matchmaker) came into the locker room and said, 'Great fight.' He said, 'This crowd was going crazy for you,' and I said, 'Thank you, sir. Thank you very much for giving me another challenge to show everyone. I’m the next contender for the title.” And he said, 'let's go,' and that was it,” Merab said.
Even with the supposed guarantee of Ultimate, Merab offered to be the reserve fighter for the duel between Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera, which happens in the UFC 299, on 09 March.
"I'm crazy. I'll accept. They didn't offer me, but at the press conference, someone asked Dana and he said, 'We'll see.' Nobody has offered me yet, but I would love to be the reserve fighter (for O'Malley x Vera). I am fine. No problem. I have no problems cutting weight in five days. I can just live my normal life, start cutting weight five days before the fight and I’ll be ready,” concluded the Georgian.
Last Saturday (17), at UFC 298, Merab Dvalishvili dominated the former champion Henry Cejudo and won the duel with a unanimous decision by the judges. Now, the Georgian awaits the winner of the rematch between champion Sean O'Malley and the Ecuadorian Marlon Vera, who face each other on March 09th.
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