UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili doesn't see successful takedowns as the be all and end all of his title challenge this weekend.
Having won 10 straight inside the Octagon, a run that most recently had triumphs over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo added to it, Dvalishvili is set to compete with UFC gold on the line for the very first time.
The Georgian will look to bring about his crowning moment at the expense of reigning kingpin Sean O'Malley, whom he'll headline the Noche UFC pay-per-view alongside at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Many in the community have gone back and forth with their predictions on who will exit the unique venue on Sept. 14 with the 135-pound belt in their possession. Most agree, however, when it comes to where each fighter will find their likely method of victory.
But Dvalishvili says fans shouldn't be shocked if he wins in spite of O'Malley's takedown defense holding firm...
Dvalishvili On Grappling Narrative: 'I Beat José Aldo & I Wasn't Able To Take Him Down!'
During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Dvalishvili looked ahead to his long-awaited first opportunity at achieving title glory on mixed martial arts' biggest stage this Saturday night.
In terms of the expected approach and suggestions that the ground marks the only location in which the challenger can emerge victorious, "The Machine" pointed to his past success opposite renowned striker José Aldo as evidence that he can wrest the title away from O'Malley without succeeding in takedown attempts.
Lots of MMA fans, very casual, they don't — if they're not watching MMA very close or they're not training, they just say things," Dvalishvili said. "I am number one contender. I am fighting for the belt. I am good everywhere, even striking when I need to strike. I beat José Aldo and I wasn't able to take him down. That means I can strike too. Maybe it was boring, (but) not because of me. José Aldo was being smart.
While Dvalishvili will look to prove as much should O'Malley withstand his inevitable grappling initiations on Saturday night, there's little doubt where the Georgian's main advantages over the champ lie.