Merab Dvalishvili recently acknowledged that there are two UFC champions he believes he could never defeat in a fight. Despite an impressive rise in the bantamweight division—after an initially rocky start with two losses—Dvalishvili is now on the verge of making history with a potential fourth title defense within a single year, which would break a longstanding UFC record.
Having overcome top contenders like Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley, Dvalishvili is cementing his dominance in the division, with fans even urging him to move up to featherweight for a possible superfight against Alexander Volkanovski. However, in a candid discussion with Bloody Elbow, he revealed that he feels he couldn’t beat his two close friends and formidable fighters: Ilia Topuria and Aljamain Sterling.
Dvalishvili described Topuria and Sterling as among the toughest opponents he’s faced, emphasizing their skill and importance as friends. Notably, he once declined a title shot out of respect for Sterling, who is now shifting to featherweight. Similarly, Topuria, another Georgian compatriot, has progressed to lightweight and is considering moving to welterweight, making a matchup unlikely.
Fan Take: This revelation humanizes Dvalishvili, showing that even the best fighters have respect and limits when it comes to certain opponents, especially friends. It adds an intriguing layer to the sport, highlighting personal dynamics that could influence future matchups and division shifts in the UFC.
