UFC 320 is within the books, and whereas Alex Pereira reclaiming his gentle heavyweight title is grabbing many of the headlines, the co-main occasion was simply as vital. Merab Dvalishvili efficiently defended his title for the third time this yr, successful a choice over Cory Sandhagen that, in all probability, cements him because the 2025 Fighter of the 12 months.
However is he the bantamweight GOAT? And the way lengthy till he climbs that mountain? Let’s focus on.
GOAT Candidacy and Merab Dvalishvili
As one of many few holdouts of the Dominick Cruz and Jose Aldo GOAT candidacy of their respective divisions, what do Merab and Alexander Volkanovski must do to realize goat standing of their divisions in your opinion?
I touched on this final week, however after Merab’s newest win, it deserves a deeper dive.
Many individuals are saying (and have been saying) that Merab Dvalishvili is the bantamweight GOAT. These persons are incorrect. This isn’t a denigration of Dvalishvili, who I ranked as the highest pound-for-pound fighter within the sport, however an acknowledgment of the accomplishments of Dominick Cruz — by the way, a fighter I hated on the time and nonetheless maintain no love for.
First, it’s necessary to tell apart between “biggest” and “greatest,” as a result of they don’t seem to be the identical. One of the best fighter will virtually at all times be the newest champion, as a result of issues have a tendency to enhance over time. Prime Anderson Silva in all probability loses to prime Khamzat Chimaev, however nobody would name Chimaev that Biggest, as a result of “greatness” is about accomplishment. And in fight sports activities, meaning title reigns.
Merab Dvalishvili is nice. Traditionally nice. His three title defenses tie him with Aljamain Sterling for “most” in UFC historical past, and Sterling had the bizarre title win state of affairs. Dvalishvili is clearly forward of Aljo within the bantamweight GOAT dialog. However he’s nonetheless to not Cruz.
Whereas Cruz technically solely has three UFC title defenses, he additionally has a further two WEC title defenses, again when the WEC belt was the de facto UFC bantamweight title. And on high of that, he has his second title win, over T.J. Dillashaw, which got here as a result of Cruz was so injured he needed to vacate the title. Any cheap individual ought to be capable of agree that’s six useful title defenses for Cruz (can not embody the Takeya Mizugaki struggle as a result of it wasn’t for a belt and wasn’t 5 rounds), twice as many as Dvalishvili.
For those who’ve doubled somebody up, you’re traditionally higher. That appears self-evident to me. And this isn’t precisely a Invoice Russell vs. Michael Jordan debate the place one period had six groups in it. Cruz has one Corridor of Famer (twice) in that run, the attainable GOAT (Demetrious Johnson), and two different guys who in all probability ought to make the Corridor however gained’t (T.J. Dillashaw and Joseph Benavidez). Arguably, the weakest win of his was his preliminary title win over Brian Bowles. That’s saying a great bit.
Now, I do imagine Dvalishvili has opened the dialog, as a result of he’s firmly within the No. 2 spot within the debate. If he provides another title protection to the pack, it turns into an actual dialog, and if he provides two extra, it’s incontrovertible. And if he does that, the Dvalishvili dialog is not about the place he ranks as a bantamweight, however the place he ranks pound-for-pound all-time.
The sticking level for me in these GOAT debates is easy: persons are means too fast to crown the following one. WE noticed them do it with Israel Adesanya, and Kamaru Usman, and Alexander Volkanovski, and Max Holloway, and the listing goes on, as a result of when a fighter is having a second, it looks like it would by no means finish. Dvalishvili is on the peak of his powers proper now, and it looks as if he won’t ever lose. Maybe he gained’t, however everybody appears that means till it occurs.
As for Volkanovski, it’s actually tough. Personally, I’m undecided he can surpass Aldo at this level. When Volkanovski was on his peak run, he clearly overtook second place, however he was nonetheless 4 title defenses again of Aldo. Then he misplaced the belt to Topuria, and now it’s awkward, as a result of this isn’t the identical run, and he’s solely the perfect featherweight by advantage of Topuria leaving the division. Actually, it’s similar to when Aldo misplaced the belt however then gained it again over Frankie Edgar after Conor McGregor left the division, and no person actually places an excessive amount of weight on that a part of Aldo’s profession.
And the opposite situation is that, for as spectacular because the Diego Lopes win was — it was very spectacular — Lopes wasn’t the following greatest man. He was a fan favourite, however he had misplaced to Movsar Evloev, who was the highest contender. So how a lot inventory can we put in it? I truthfully don’t know. However loads of individuals already need to name Volkanovski the GOAT (regardless of himself agreeing he’s not), so any further wins will solely add to the fervor. If he beats Evloev and places collectively one other legit title reign at 145, he in all probability will take the title from Aldo, however I believe he’ll want a minimum of another protection after that to promote me on it. Can he do it? Possibly. However we’ll must see
Merab Dvalishvili’s Lack of Ending
Is it me or are most of Merab´s fights greatest characterised as “he gained convincingly however I really feel that his opponent can go to his day job the next morning”? Aka is Merab The Biggest Fighter Who Does The Least Quantity of Harm?
I really feel like his opponents are largely extra drained/annoyed than really bodily damage – living proof the Jose Aldo struggle.
That is the opposite critique of Dvalishvili’s title reign: the dearth of finishes. And whereas it’s a bit disingenuous to counsel pleasure doesn’t matter, the reality is, it sort of doesn’t. Historical past has a means of flattening out context, and in 20 years, individuals gained’t have seen Merab struggle; they’ll simply see the resume and the wins. The scoreboard is the scoreboard, and within the phrases of the good Dominic Toretto, it doesn’t matter when you win by an inch or a mile; successful is successful.
Plus, there’s a draw back to Merab’s type. Whereas Dvalishvili has to this point appeared unstoppable, there’ll come some extent when he’s not. It occurs to each nice champion, the place they must dig deep and pull victory from the jaws of defeat. Hell, we simply noticed Jiri Prochazka do it in opposition to Khalil Rountree on Saturday. And in Merab’s case, if he finds himself down 0-3 on the judges’ scorecards heading into the championship rounds, he’s cooked. As a result of he doesn’t have — or chooses to not use — a sport that prioritizes injury and ending capacity.
However you may’t not his greatness due to it. The person is on an distinctive run and may be very more likely to find yourself because the GOAT bantamweight and a High 10 all-time fighter. Even when he’s not probably the most thrilling fighter to observe.
Magomed Ankalaev’s subsequent struggle
How screwed is Magomed Ankalaev for his subsequent struggle? Which LHW killer does he struggle subsequent?
Don’t get me incorrect, Ankalaev may hardly have accomplished worse on Saturday. Not solely did he lose, however he appeared anemic, and it was the quickest win of Pereira’s UFC profession. That’s proper, even his KO of Sean Strickland got here later than the trouncing Ankalaev simply suffered. That’s a nasty search for Huge Ank Time.
Fortuitously, Pereira additionally offered Ankalaev with the trail to his salvation. As a result of Pereira is just not actually fascinated about defending his gentle heavyweight title (he shouldn’t be) and as an alternative desires a superfight at heavyweight. Good! Go do this. Alex Pereira has accomplished all he must at 205, and let’s open gentle heavyweight again as much as the lots. Within the speedy future, meaning Jiri vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant title, however for Ankalaev, as a former champion, he’s proper again within the combine with one win.
Jiri is 100% the best factor within the UFC. It’s not a query however only a lovely factor. Additionally as soon as he simply permits somewhat little bit of his psycho to return out his accuracy is bonkers. Seen it in so lots of his fights. He’s a weirdsmobile surrounded by douche canoes.
There’s a cause I name this man my massive grownup son and have accomplished so for years. He’s every little thing proper with MMA, and needs to be carved onto the Mount Rushmore of motion fighters alongside Justin Gaethje and Robbie Lawler. A real authentic and possibly my favourite lively fighter. I’d die for that man, and I’m glad everybody else is beginning to notice there are extra necessary issues in MMA than “good” (although Jiri is clearly excellent). I hope he lives endlessly.
Thanks for studying, and thanks to everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you’ve any burning questions on issues a minimum of considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definitely’re in luck, as a result of you may ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite ones! Doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.
