LAS VEGAS – Merab Dvalishvili wants a title shot, but he’ll decline if offered.
It’s an unusual predicament, one that is oftentimes considered but never actually experienced by UFC contenders. His best friend and main training partner Aljamain Sterling happens to be in the same division – and happens to be champion.
With his performance Saturday at UFC Fight Night 221, Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) may otherwise have secured himself a title shot with a dominant, smothering performance of former titleholder Petr Yan (16-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC).
