The UFC 311 co-main event is shaping up to be nothing short of explosive. But let’s start with this, can anyone actually stop Merab Dvalishvili? Or better yet, can an undefeated Dagestani phenom like Umar Nurmagomedov pull off what Sean O’Malley says he should?

That’s right, O’Malley, former champ, current top-ranked bantamweight, and No. 13 pound-for-pound fighter, has thrown his weight behind Umar, predicting on Jake Shield’s Fight Back Podcast, “Umar should beat Merab. He’s one of the most skilled guys in the division.”

Wait, what? Is O’Malley, who lost his belt to Merab just months ago, already counting out ‘The Machine‘? It sure sounds like it. But hold on, this is personal. Reflecting on his unanimous decision loss at Noche UFC 306, O’Mallet admitted, “God, it bugs me….I know I’m better than him, skill for skill. It’s just… he found a couple positions I couldn’t get up from.”

So, as The Machine gears up for another title defense and Umar prepares for the biggest fight of his career, the question lingers: Is this Merab’s moment to cement his legacy, or is Umar destined to end the reign of one of the most relentless champion in UFC history?

The road to UFC 311 has been nothing short of dramatic. For months, fans and analysts questioned if this fight would even happen. Despite being undefeated (18-0) and widely considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the division, Nurmagomedov struggles to secure his title shot. Why? Well, Dvalishvili, with an 18-4 record, wasn’t shy about expressing doubts over Nurmagomedov’s worthiness, accusing the Dagestani of not earning his place.

Dana White ultimately stepped in, and now the two are set to clash. Are we finally going to see ‘The Machine’ versus ‘Young Eagle‘? You Bet. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t just about a title. It’s about pride, legitimacy and who really owns the bantamweight division.

Merab Dvalishvili, Umar Nurmagomedov and the rise of Bantamweight greatness

Let’s take a step back for a moment. The bantamweight division is stacked right now. Seriously, how many divisions can claim this level of depth? Between the reigning champ Merab, the undefeated Nurmagomedov, and the always-electrifying ‘Suga‘ O’Malley, the top of the division is already loaded. Add in names like Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan, and you’ve got a murderer’s row of talent.

‘Suga’ couldn’t contain his excitement when talking about the division, “It’s so exciting. Petr Yan, in my opinion, is still one of the most savage guys.” But what about Dvalishvili? Jake Shields, who sparred with the Georgian champion, offered some insight during the podcast. “He’s good at what he does. You can say it’s not technical and stuff, but he’s not easy to deal with. Really strong too, I’ve trained (with him) before, he’s picked me up before,” Shields said.

So, here’s the question, Is Merab’s relentless style enough to withstand the technical mastery of an undefeated Dagestani like Umar?

And don’t forget, this isn’t just any fight, it’s the co-main event of a stacked UFC 311 card, headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title. With these two epic battles on the same night, it’s hard to imagine a better way to kick off the new year.

Who are you rooting for? Does the division champ keep his belt, or does the Dagestani remain undefeated? And where does Sean O’Malley fit into all of this? January 18th is going to answer a lot of question, but until then, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!