As Friendship With Aljamain Sterling Roadblocks Him From a Sean O’Malley Fight, Merab Dvalishvili Comes Out With Huge Claim for a Shot at the Title

Sean O’Malley is not short of suitors. The newly crowned bantamweight champion can have his pick from the exciting crop of contenders and the matchups he desires. While there have been demands for a rematch with Aljamain Sterling, the champion desires a rematch, but not with him. Despite topping the waiting list for a title shot, Merab Dvalishvili is still putting his friendship before his legitimate claim to the belt.

The 32-year-old fighter is the current #1 contender, boasting a nine-fight winning streak. When he defeated Petr Yan in March, he was still adamant about not facing his teammate and then champion Aljamain Sterling. “I understand business and everything, but Aljamain Sterling is my friend and my brother,” he declared. However, things have changed since last Saturday, and it appears he is finally ready to make his move.

Merab Dvalishvili clears his intentions about the bantamweight title

‘The Machine’ turned to his X handle and specified that if ‘Sugar’ declined a rematch with ‘Funk Master’, he was ready to spring into action. Notably, O’Malley dethroned Sterling at UFC 292 in a highlight-reel finish and later expressed a desire to match up with Marlon Vera. Thus, he left the possibility of a future rematch with Sterling hanging by a thread.

Dvalishvili wrote, “If Sean O’Malley ducks Aljo for a rematch then I want to beat his skinny as* for the Belt!”

Besides the bantamweight strap, O’Malley might be keen to settle scores with the Georgian fighter, as animosity between them has been brewing since UFC 288. The exciting matchup, if it takes place, will also conclude the grudge between them over O’Malley’s MJ’s Thriller-themed jacket.

Read More: “Can’t Get Much Closer Than That”: Sean O’Malley Joins Fans After His KO Win Over Aljamain Sterling Gets Compared to Conor McGregor’s Victory Over Jose Aldo

But there are too many ifs involved right now, and nothing is clear. With the latest post, Dvalishvili joined the long queue, which also includes two former UFC champions. Every top-ranked fighter wants a fight against the new bantamweight champion. But where does Dvalishvili stand in the row?

Everyone wants a piece of Sean O’Malley

Immediately after O’Malley’s UFC 292 win, Petr Yan demanded a future rematch with him. Soon Henry Cejudo followed suit, seeing a perfect opportunity to reclaim the title.

However, these names currently appear further down the pecking order. Moreover, O’Malley’s enthusiasm about facing Vera dissipated in the post-event presser. Currently, a rematch against Sterling might make more sense, but an uphill task against Dvalishvili is also on the cards. Everything boils down to how serious O’Malley’s injury is and what his comeback timeline is.

What do you think of this post by Merab Dvalishvili? Do you believe he will face Sean O’Malley next? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch this story: Jorge Masvidal Wins the Race Against Mike Tyson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Triple H to Become Dwayne Johnson’s Successor at UFC 291 for the BMF Title