Jon Anik Names Former Champion as Merab Dvalishvili’s Next UFC Opponent After Dana White Publicly Expressed Disappointment for “The Machine”

The bantamweight division became the talk of the town after the UFC Vegas 71. While Merab Dvalishvili decimated former UFC champion, Petr Yan, he reiterated his resolve to not fight the current division kingpin, Aljamain Sterling. Besides, the recent shuffle in the rankings also added more to the ensuing chaos. Dislodging Sean O’Malley as the #1 contender, the Georgian finds himself in a place that he didn’t desire. This particular crowded scenario develops more complexity given the upcoming UFC 288 event as Henry Cejudo jumped the line. In the midst of this tumult, the Tbilisi native might set his eyes on another target to add another laurel to his resume.

Notably, the UFC commentator Jon Anik sat down with Kenny Florian in ep. 395 of their popular podcast. The duo discussed the repercussions and developments arising out of the recently concluded event. In one of the segments, the MMA commentator announced his pick for the probable opponent for the 32-year-old fighter.

Jon Anik names the ideal opponent for Merab Dvalishvili

The former ESPN anchor detailed the chaotic situation of the 135 lbs division. The 44-year-old believed the #1 ranked bantamweight had earned the championship opportunity.

Following this, he suggested, “Like what are you going to give Merab a Dominick Cruz in a main event? I mean, go look at the top 10 right now.”

However, the UFC associate expressed that a fight involving the two was possible. It hinged on whether Dvalishvili wanted to fight again before he fought for the title.

He also explained the rationale as he told, “Because you have a chance to add the name of the consensus greatest bantamweight of all time to your ledger in a fight that you’ll probably be a four to-one favorite to win. But I don’t know what you do, man.”

But, his co-host expressed his apprehensions about the Serra-Longo Fight Team representative entering as a favorite. He, on the contrary, believed the fight better suited ‘The Dominator’.

Previously, the UFC president Dana White voiced his dislike over the ongoing situation. Thus, in a message to the former combat sambo champion, he said, “If that’s what he wants to do, I can tell you how that story ends. It’s not a good ending to that story.”

Read More: “If Wrestle F@cked Was a Person! Sheesh!”: UFC World in Disbelief as Ex-Champ Petr Yan Gets Mauled by “Machine” Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Vegas 71

What do you think of these statements by Jon Anik about the Merab Dvalishvili? Do you believe a probable match between him and Dominick Cruz could materialize? Let us know in the comments below.

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