Merab Dvalishvili`s upcoming rematch against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 was set partially because a clear top contender in the bantamweight division had not fully emerged when the fight was initially announced. However, since the immediate rematch was confirmed – despite O`Malley not needing another victory after his loss to Dvalishvili last September – several new challengers have begun to make a strong case for themselves.
Among the potential next opponents, perennial threat Cory Sandhagen appears to be the most likely candidate, particularly after his recent victory over Deiveson Figueiredo in May. Sandhagen has often been on the cusp of a title shot, and his latest win, coupled with the fact that he has never faced Dvalishvili, places him high on the list for the next title opportunity.
“Right now, clear contender looks like it`s Cory Sandhagen, especially because we never fought each other,” Dvalishvili commented during a UFC 316 media day appearance. He acknowledged Sandhagen`s fighting style and successful track record, stating, “He beat a lot of good guys in this division.” Dvalishvili emphasized his readiness to face whoever the promotion deems the next deserving contender: “I`m sure MMA fans want to see this fight. But most important is what the UFC wants. I am champion now and whoever the UFC will give me, I will fight the next contender, the next best guy in the division.”
Another significant development is the highly anticipated UFC debut of former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix, who could quickly rise up the rankings. Mix is scheduled to face Mario Bautista on the same night in a crucial bout featuring two fighters on impressive win streaks. The outcome of this fight will likely propel the winner considerably within the division.
Notably, Mix is a training partner and friend of Dvalishvili, having spent time training together over the past few years. While this friendship wasn`t a factor when Mix competed in a different organization, his arrival in the UFC and pursuit of the bantamweight title means their paths could potentially cross. Dvalishvili addressed this possibility, assuring that he would be willing to fight Mix if necessary, drawing a distinction from his past situation with teammate Aljamain Sterling.
“Patchy Mix is a great fighter,” Dvalishvili said. “Yes, we`re training a lot together. He`s one of the best and I respect him. I`m happy for him he`s in the UFC right now… It`s not the same as it was between me and Aljo. If the time comes, we will fight each other. It`s nothing personal. He`s fighting for his family, I`m fighting for my family and my team. That`s all good.” He also offered words of encouragement for Mix`s upcoming debut fight.
The possibility of fighting current flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja was also raised, as Pantoja has occasionally hinted at a future move up to the bantamweight division. Pantoja has his own title defense scheduled, but Dvalishvili indicated he would be open to facing him if he were to move up and the UFC decided it was the appropriate fight for the title.
“Yes, he`s a respectful champion,” Dvalishvili stated regarding a potential bout with Pantoja. “If he moves up and the UFC lets him fight for the belt, no problem. I`m a champion now. I`ll fight whoever the UFC choose for me to fight.”
Ultimately, before considering future challengers, Dvalishvili`s primary focus is on defeating Sean O`Malley for a second time at UFC 316. He expressed confidence and readiness for the upcoming challenge, expecting a potentially improved version of O`Malley. “He should be 70 percent better because he quit a lot of stuff,” Dvalishvili remarked about O`Malley`s apparent changes, such as quitting social media and smoking. “I want to test all of that. I`m ready for the best version of Sean O`Malley.”
