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If you want to get to 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling, you’ll first have to go through No. 1-ranked bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili, who is content to play gatekeeper so long as his friend and teammate remains atop the division throne.
That’s why “The Machine” welcomes a potential title eliminator against the red-hot Cory Sandhagen, who is now the winner of two straight, including last weekend’s split decision nod over Top 5 bantamweight bruiser Marlon Vera.
“I love the match because he’s great,” Dvalishvili told ESPN. “He’s a high-level fighter. Now he will be ranked maybe No. 3, so I love the fight. This guy (Sterling) is my friend. He’s the champion for a reason, and I would love to clean the division. I would love a new challenge. He called me. It makes sense, and I would love to fight him anytime.”
Read a transcript of Sandhagen’s post-fight callout here.
“He’s good, he’s very technical, footwork, he has jiu-jitsu and everything,” Dvalishvili continued. “Even (though) I beat Petr and Petr beat him, I don’t overlook him. He’s dangerous, he’s a good fighter, he proved today by beating a tough ‘Chito’ Vera, and I would love to fight him.”
The bantamweight title is up for grabs when Sterling battles former champion Henry Cejudo atop the UFC 288 pay-per-view (PPV) card in Newark. The winner is expected to face top contender Sean O’Malley at the end of the year, so a battle between Sandhagen and Dvalishvili makes sense for the division, as well as the championship timeline.
Whether or not UFC matchmakers agree remains to be seen.
If you want to get to 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling, you’ll first have to go through No. 1-ranked bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili, who is content to play gatekeeper so long as his friend and teammate remains atop the division throne.
That’s why “The Machine” welcomes a potential title eliminator against the red-hot Cory Sandhagen, who is now the winner of two straight, including last weekend’s split decision nod over Top 5 bantamweight bruiser Marlon Vera.
“I love the match because he’s great,” Dvalishvili told ESPN. “He’s a high-level fighter. Now he will be ranked maybe No. 3, so I love the fight. This guy (Sterling) is my friend. He’s the champion for a reason, and I would love to clean the division. I would love a new challenge. He called me. It makes sense, and I would love to fight him anytime.”
Read a transcript of Sandhagen’s post-fight callout here.
“He’s good, he’s very technical, footwork, he has jiu-jitsu and everything,” Dvalishvili continued. “Even (though) I beat Petr and Petr beat him, I don’t overlook him. He’s dangerous, he’s a good fighter, he proved today by beating a tough ‘Chito’ Vera, and I would love to fight him.”
The bantamweight title is up for grabs when Sterling battles former champion Henry Cejudo atop the UFC 288 pay-per-view (PPV) card in Newark. The winner is expected to face top contender Sean O’Malley at the end of the year, so a battle between Sandhagen and Dvalishvili makes sense for the division, as well as the championship timeline.
Whether or not UFC matchmakers agree remains to be seen.
Click here to view the article.
That’s why “The Machine” welcomes a potential title eliminator against the red-hot Cory Sandhagen, who is now the winner of two straight, including last weekend’s split decision nod over Top 5 bantamweight bruiser Marlon Vera.
“I love the match because he’s great,” Dvalishvili told ESPN. “He’s a high-level fighter. Now he will be ranked maybe No. 3, so I love the fight. This guy (Sterling) is my friend. He’s the champion for a reason, and I would love to clean the division. I would love a new challenge. He called me. It makes sense, and I would love to fight him anytime.”
Read a transcript of Sandhagen’s post-fight callout here.
“He’s good, he’s very technical, footwork, he has jiu-jitsu and everything,” Dvalishvili continued. “Even (though) I beat Petr and Petr beat him, I don’t overlook him. He’s dangerous, he’s a good fighter, he proved today by beating a tough ‘Chito’ Vera, and I would love to fight him.”
The bantamweight title is up for grabs when Sterling battles former champion Henry Cejudo atop the UFC 288 pay-per-view (PPV) card in Newark. The winner is expected to face top contender Sean O’Malley at the end of the year, so a battle between Sandhagen and Dvalishvili makes sense for the division, as well as the championship timeline.
Whether or not UFC matchmakers agree remains to be seen.
If you want to get to 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling, you’ll first have to go through No. 1-ranked bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili, who is content to play gatekeeper so long as his friend and teammate remains atop the division throne.
That’s why “The Machine” welcomes a potential title eliminator against the red-hot Cory Sandhagen, who is now the winner of two straight, including last weekend’s split decision nod over Top 5 bantamweight bruiser Marlon Vera.
“I love the match because he’s great,” Dvalishvili told ESPN. “He’s a high-level fighter. Now he will be ranked maybe No. 3, so I love the fight. This guy (Sterling) is my friend. He’s the champion for a reason, and I would love to clean the division. I would love a new challenge. He called me. It makes sense, and I would love to fight him anytime.”
Read a transcript of Sandhagen’s post-fight callout here.
“He’s good, he’s very technical, footwork, he has jiu-jitsu and everything,” Dvalishvili continued. “Even (though) I beat Petr and Petr beat him, I don’t overlook him. He’s dangerous, he’s a good fighter, he proved today by beating a tough ‘Chito’ Vera, and I would love to fight him.”
The bantamweight title is up for grabs when Sterling battles former champion Henry Cejudo atop the UFC 288 pay-per-view (PPV) card in Newark. The winner is expected to face top contender Sean O’Malley at the end of the year, so a battle between Sandhagen and Dvalishvili makes sense for the division, as well as the championship timeline.
Whether or not UFC matchmakers agree remains to be seen.
Click here to view the article.
