Dana White is warming as much as Merab Dvalishvili.
Dvalishvili made historical past earlier this month, changing into solely the seventh fighter (and first fighter beneath 170 kilos) to efficiently defend his title 3 times in a single calendar 12 months, beating Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. The victory doubtless locked up Fighter of the 12 months honors for Dvalishvili, however “The Machine” isn’t finished but.
Earlier this week, Dana White introduced that Dvalishvili will make a fast turnaround, defending his title in a rematch with Petr Yan in the principle occasion of UFC 323. Ought to he win, Dvalishvili will develop into the primary fighter to ever defend a belt 4 occasions in a 12 months, instantly placing him within the dialog for among the finest single years in MMA historical past.
However maybe extra spectacular than his title defenses is how Dvalishvili has modified White’s thoughts about him. As a result of whereas White was beforehand not a fan of the bantamweight champion, now he’s all in on “The Machine.”
“I adore it,” White informed reporters at the newest Contender Collection scrum, when requested about Dvalishvili’s fast turnaround. “Pay attention, it took me a minute to heat as much as Merab. I’m very heat now. I really like that mentality. He needs to be the primary man to defend his title that many occasions in a 12 months. Should you have a look at what he’s gone on the market and finished, and the way he’s confirmed himself as a fighter, and as a world champion, it’s spectacular.”
White has not all the time had the very best opinion of Dvalishvili, courting again to when Dvalishvili’s pal Aljamain Sterling was the bantamweight champion. White repeatedly ripped Dvalishvili for his obvious lack of a cutthroat mentality and for a few of his decision-making. Nevertheless, a dominant title reign appears to have cured all ills between the 2, particularly as Dvalishvili appears to make historical past later this 12 months.
UFC 320 takes place on Dec. 6 at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas, and also will function a flyweight title combat between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van.
