Despite the UFC’s attempt to get the ball rolling toward the next bantamweight title fight, Merab Dvalishvili has other plans in mind.
The 135-pound weight class crowned a new champion in the main event of UFC 306, where Dvalishvili comfortably defeated Sean O’Malley.
It was known going into the fight that Umar Nurmagomedov was likely going to be next, and that was only solidified when he was there in-person for the new champ being asked about the prospect of facing him.
Dvalishvili, however, believes that it is Deiveson Figueiredo who is the most deserving contender because he has more wins over top bantamweight contenders.
Aljamain Sterling Says Merab Dvalishvili Has Strong Case For Deiveson Figueiredo Being Next
In an interview with Submission Radio, Aljamain Sterling weighed in with his thoughts on Dvalishvili’s stance on his first title challenger.
The former bantamweight champion and long-term friend and training partner of the Georgian titleholder believes that his reasoning makes a lot of sense.
“Funk Master” pointed to how there have been many more instances where a title challenger was less deserving of this opportunity than Figueiredo currently is.
With this in mind, Sterling hopes that his teammate will get to have some input into deciding what will be the first step of his title reign.
“I don’t know who the UFC actually wants to push. I know Merab wants to face Deiveson Figueiredo based on his merit of what he’s done in the bantamweight division. I believe he’s beaten Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, submitted him, and ‘Chito’ Vera. So it’s kind of hard to argue Merab’s point. I do understand that Umar did beat Sandhagen, who was ranked #2 at the time, so there’s an argument there. But I think I can see both sides, and if the champ wants to fight Deiveson Figueiredo, I mean, O’Malley got to fight a guy that wasn’t even ranked in the top five (Marlon Vera).
“So I don’t think it’s that crazy of a matchup. I don’t think the guy’s undeserving. I don’t think anyone could say he’s undeserving. But, you know, the UFC is going to do what makes the most money for them and hopefully the champ has a say in that.”
