The debate has always been Dominick Cruz versus TJ Dillashaw. Now, there’s a new contender for bantamweight GOAT. As he embarks on his latest UFC title defence, Merab Dvalishvili could be about to cement his status of all-time greatness.
Dvalishvili has gone from underrated to undeniable. He wasn’t pegged as bantamweight’s next best thing when he first entered the spotlight, with back-to-back losses in his first UFC two fights instead having him touted for the cut. Thirteen wins later and the Georgian mauler is spearheading a reign of terror at 135lb. The 34-year-old has brushed off four ex-world champions on his way to the top, scraping the scalps of Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo before dethroning and conquering the man groomed as the division’s future, Sean O’Malley.
