Top UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili knows he's in for a challenge this weekend, but he doesn't see it as the greatest he's faced to date.
Dvalishvili will make the walk on Saturday night to headline Noche UFC (UFC 306), the promotion's second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day, at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
The Georgian is set to challenge for the gold at 135 pounds opposite reigning kingpin Sean O'Malley, having earned his first title shot off the back of 10 straight wins on MMA's biggest stage.
In "Sugar," Dvalishvili is challenging a champ whose sole career loss came soon after a freak injury opposite Marlon Vera, a setback he avenged emphatically across five rounds against "Chito" this past March.
With that defense coming months on from a memorable crowning against grappling specialist Aljamain Sterling, plenty are backing the Montana native to withstand the threat brought by "Funk Master's" teammate on Sept. 14.
But Dvalishvili has vowed to wrest the strap away from O'Malley, and he doesn't even think doing so would represent him overcoming his biggest hurdle thus far...
Dvalishvili Picks Aldo Over O'Malley For Toughest UFC Opponent
During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Dvalishvili looked ahead to the challenge awaiting him inside the Sphere on Saturday night.
When asked whether he's expecting the toughest test of his career, the Georgian instead pointed to legendary former featherweight champion and one-time bantamweight title challenger José Aldo.
I don't think he's the toughest opponent because I fought José Aldo, and I think he was the toughest opponent for me," Dvalishvili said. "(O'Malley) is a new challenge, and I have all the respect for him as a fighter. I know he is good. He is dangerous. He knocks people out. He has the skill, the power, and everything else. But so do I.
O'Malley will no doubt expect to prove those comments wrong by delivering another emphatic title defense come fight night in Las Vegas this weekend, where both the UFC and boxing great Canelo Álvarez look to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with standout events in the "Fight Capital of the World."