UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is open to facing any opponent after his win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306.
Shortly after his title win, Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov after the contender defeated Cory Sandhagen to move up in the ranking. Although the matchup was slated for December, it won’t be happening as Nurmagomedov has been booked to face Song Yadong. Many believed that the Champ would have a rematch with Sean O’Malley in 2025.
Although many are eager to watch this fight, Dvalishvili revealed that no talk or plan has been put into motion for a rematch. However, the champ revealed he is willing to accept any opponent.
“I don’t want to come back in December. It’s stupid. I’m a champion now, and I want to take my time off,” Dvalishvili said. “I’m going to enjoy my time.
“So, if UFC offers me Sean O’Malley, I would love to fight him. If UFC offers me somebody else, I will fight. I’m a champion now. I don’t know, maybe some champions make decisions, but I’m OK. They give me whoever is the next contender, and I will fight. My best option will be Sean O’Malley, but hey, only if UFC wants me to fight Sean O’Malley. If not, anybody else.
“Yes, the UFC told me to fight [Umar in December] and I said I would fight him in February or March.” Merab Dvalishvili stated to Ariel Helwani. “That was it. Now, Umar take another fight, so I don’t know. But like I said, I don’t know anything else. [I won’t fight] in January because, it’s a new year and it’s a Georgian Christmas and I need the time. I said February and March is good for me, and I’ll go from there.”
“Like I said, I want three fights in 2025.” He continued. “ So, I’m ready. Yes, I have no problem [fighting Umar next]. Whoever the UFC offers me, I will fight. I never choose my opponents, and I’m going to continue the same. I’ve never had the option to say that ‘I’m going to fight him, or him’. I was never like this in this situation before, and I don’t see why it’d be different now.”
Dvalishvili hasn’t been overly impressed by Nurmagomedov despite the eye-opening Sandhagen triumph. According to the champion, Nurmagomedov, currently No. 2 in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings, was offered a December title fight.
“I’ll tell you like I told UFC, I’m ready for February. Then, of course, March, whatever they want. Not January, but I’m ready [by then]. Whoever UFC wants, I’m ready for a fight. I’m not saying it has to be O’Malley. I said, next, I want to fight against [Deiveson] Figueiredo, but I’m not saying this or anyone. Whoever deserves, whoever UFC will choose, I will fight next. I’m not making the decision.
“How you say I’m ducking anybody or scared of a fight? I’m here for a fight,” he concluded. “I have an 11-fight win streak, guys. I fought everybody. And I think I don’t have to prove anything.”
