Merab Dvalishvili, the second-ever Georgian UFC Champion, clarifies his stance on facing Alexander Volkanovski, the dominant featherweight champion. Dvalishvili, a bantamweight champion, has previously expressed no interest in challenging Volkanovski out of respect, but he is open to the possibility if the UFC suggests it.
In an interview, Dvalishvili explained that he doesn't want to disrespect Volkanovski by challenging him directly. Instead, he prefers to focus on his current weight class and would accept a fight if offered by the UFC. He clarified that his previous statement about not challenging Volkanovski was misinterpreted, and he would be ready to fight if the UFC proposes it.
Dvalishvili's dominance in the bantamweight division is evident, as he is set to break a record for defenses in one calendar year. He defeated Sean O'Malley in June and will face Petr Yan in a rematch at UFC 323 next month. If he can overcome Umar Nurmagomedov next year, he will have beaten his top three contenders multiple times.
Despite his success, Dvalishvili believes he could compete even more frequently if he were to move up to featherweight. He mentions that the weight cut is the most challenging part of the fight, as he currently cuts 22 pounds for each fight. He jokes that he could fight every two weeks at featherweight, as the weight cut would only be 10 pounds, compared to the 20-30 pounds cut by other fighters.
Dvalishvili's willingness to face Volkanovski, if suggested by the UFC, adds an intriguing dynamic to the featherweight division. His ability to maintain a high level of activity while dominating his current weight class makes him a formidable fighter and a potential future champion.
