September 5, 2024 8:45 pm ET
Merab Dvalishvili argues that Deiveson Figueiredo is a more worthwhile No. 1 competitor than Umar Nurmagomedov.
Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) challenges bantamweight champ Sean O'Malley (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in the UFC 306 centerpiece Sept. 14 at Sphere in Las Vegas. The primary card airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews.
UFC CEO Dana White stated Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will get the next title shot versus the winner of O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili following his UFC on ABC 7 centerpiece win over Cory Sandhagen in August, however a minimum of one side of the battle does not see him as deserving.
Dvalishvili makes the case previous flyweight champ Figueiredo (24-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) has a remarkable resume to Nurmagomedov given that going up to 135 pounds.
“Deiveson Figueiredo is worthy of to eliminate for the belt,” Dvalishvili informed MMA Junkie. “He beat one previous champ in this weight class and one title opposition, and he beat Rob Font. And Figueiredo is previous champ, and he has huge name, and he is worthy of.
“Umar, he just beat Cory Sandhagen from leading 15. Just one guy he beat from leading 15 and why he should have to combat for the belt? I'm not stating– even if I would be champion, he needs to battle Sean O'Malley. I do not believe he is worthy of to combat for the belt, you understand. That's my viewpoint.”
Considering that going up to bantamweight, previous flyweight champ Figueiredo has actually beat Font, previous champ Cody Garbrandt, and most just recently previous title opposition Marlon Vera.
Nurmagomedov went from ending up unranked Raoni Barcelos to beating Bekzat Almakhan to lasting longer than Sandhagen in his very first octagon headliner.
For more on the card, see MMA Junkie's occasion center for UFC 306.
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