What’s next for Merab? Aljamain Sterling weighs in
“Merab had to jump through all these hoops just to get a title shot. So if I’m him, I want what O’Malley had–a favorable pay day.”
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As we step into the month of November, it isn’t just the weather getting colder.
Tensions are rising among Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov, who both share different beliefs about the future of the UFC bantamweight title picture.
Dvalishvili is the reigning champion, and he was forced to travel an obstacle course to finally obtain a title shot. Once he did, he made the most of the opportunity, taking the title away from Sean O’Malley in a one-sided bout this September at UFC 306. For his first title defense, Dvalishvili (18-4) would like to see O’Malley get a rematch–or defend the title against former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo.
Naturally, Nurmagomedov disagrees. After defeating Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision in a title eliminator bout in August, Nurmagomedov (18-0) wants his title shot. Of course, that comes with a caveat–he wants his title shot before Ramadan, which begins on March 10. Due to holidays in Georgia, Dvalishvili does not want to fight in January, which has led Nurmagomedov to advocate for a fight to happen in December.
If the roles were reversed, is there any possible way that Nurmagomedov would fight on such a quick turnaround? He is asking Dvalishvili to defend the belt just 91 days after winning it. The shortest amount of time Nurmagomedov has ever gone between fights is 112 days, yet he is boldy requesting that Dvalishvili give up a massive competitive advantage.
Clearly, we have reached an impasse as to when this fight will take place. So I reached out to former UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling–who is also a close friend and teammate of Dvalishvili–on what he thinks should be the most logical next step for the champ.
“If I’m the matchmaker, I’d have Deiveson Figueiredo fight for the belt,” said Sterling. “It feels like that could be a big global fight given Deiveson’s following in Brazil.”
Sterling, who is set to fight undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev on December 7 at UFC 310, is a former bantamweight champion. He is well aware of the business side of the sport, and he wants Dvalishvili to cash in on his run with the belt.
“I don’t know if the fight with Umar is the biggest money-maker for Merab,” said Sterling. “I fought in Abu Dhabi on an afternoon card, and the pay-per-view numbers weren’t the strongest. That card had Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, and Sean O’Malley, so you never know.
“Merab had to jump through all these hoops just to get a title shot. So if I’m him, I want what O’Malley had–a favorable pay day.”
Sterling is referring to O’Malley’s first title defense, which took place in March against Chito Vera–who was beneath Dvalishvili in the official rankings. O’Malley won that bout in impressive fashion, extending his reign as champ until losing to Dvalishvili.
“Merab and Umar is a huge fight,” said Sterling. “But if you can’t make it work now, the Figgy fight would be big, too.”
Belal Muhammad out of title defense in December
Belal Muhammad will not be defending his welterweight title in December at UFC 310.
Muhammad posted yesterday on social media that a bone infection in his foot will severely limit his physical activity for the next month. That caused him to withdraw from his upcoming bout against the undefeated Shavkhat Rakhmonov, leaving a gaping hole on the UFC 310 card.
Muhammad (24-3) won the belt in July when he dominated Leon Edwards at UFC 304. There was plenty of optimism surrounding his title reign, especially with the bout against Rakhmonov and a potential fight against Kamaru Usman, but the injury throws cold water on that excitement.
With Muhammad injured, the possibility exists that there will be an interim title bout for the welterweight division.
Kody Steele ready for new opportunity in the UFC
Kody Steele is one of the newest members of the UFC roster, signing a contract after impressing Dana White in his Contender Series bout last month.
Steele (7-0) defeated Chasen Blair by TKO, knocking him out with a ferocious body shot to the liver just under a minute into the second round.
“I’m always hunting for the knockout,” said Steele. “I did a lot of damage up top, so I knew he’d be protecting his head. His body was open, and I went for it.”
Steele, who plans to compete in the UFC at lightweight, has an extensive background in jiu-jitsu. He is taking a measured approach to success in the UFC, charting out a two-year course that will steadily put him in position to contend for the title.
“The first year in the UFC, it’s all about getting better,” said Steele, 29. “I’m working to reach that next level, be elite.”
Steele revealed there was only one time during his Contender Series debut when he was nervous. Yet it wasn’t when he was competing in the cage.
“It’s when I saw Dana White,” said Steele. “That was an ‘Oh wow’ moment. To make an impression on him, to hear Dana say he sees something in me, that makes me feel even more confident. I already know who I am. Now people are starting to see it and believe.”
Erin Blanchfield faces Rose Namajunas on compelling card in Edmonton
For those in search of winners for tomorrow’s UFC bout in Edmonton…
Erin Blanchfield is a very talented fighter, but I just don’t believe she is on the same level as Rose Namajunas. It is a five-round, co-main event with significant stakes. Though both women lost to Manon Fiorot, the winner here should get matched up against Alexa Grasso, which would be a bout away from fighting for the women’s flyweight title. Blanchfield (12-2) needs to keep this on the ground, but Namajunas (13-6) hasn’t been submitted since 2014.
On a card designed to put Amir Albazi in a title shot, Brandon Moreno will also look to reinsert himself back into the flyweight title picture by ending Albazi’s six-fight win streak. Plus, Derrick Lewis is an underdog against Jhonata Diniz in a fight that is bound to end by KO.
The Pick ‘Em Section
UFC Fight Night flyweight bout: Amir Albazi vs. Brandon Moreno
Pick: Brandon Moreno
UFC Fight Night women’s flyweight bout: Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield
Pick: Rose Namajunas
UFC Fight Night heavyweight bout: Derrick Lewis vs. Jhonata Diniz
Pick: Derrick Lewis
UFC Fight Night light heavyweight bout: Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Pick: Caio Machado
UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
Pick: Marc-Andre Barriault
Last week: 3-2
2024 record: 99-77