{"id":192291,"date":"2025-10-06T01:48:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T01:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/192291\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T01:48:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T01:48:11","slug":"ufcs-dana-white-makes-bold-claim-about-merab-dvalishvilis-bantamweight-goat-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/192291\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC’s Dana White makes bold claim about Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight GOAT status"},"content":{"rendered":"

Merab Dvalishvili did it again.<\/p>\n

At UFC 320 Saturday night in Las Vegas in the evening\u2019s co-main event, Dvalishvili\u2019s decision win against Cory Sandhagen put him on the verge of a rare kind of UFC history, one that few fighters have even come close to sniffing.<\/p>\n

If Dvalishvili\u2019s wish were to come true to remain active and fight in December, he could become the first fighter in UFC history to defend his title four times in one year. Thus far, Dvalishvili has done so three times, as he defeated Sean O\u2019Malley in their rematch in June before halting the momentum of Umar Nurmagomedov in January in his initial title defense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dvalishvili is one of eight champions to have done so three times, though. He joined rare company, including Alex Pereira, Matt Hughes, Frank Shamrock, Demetrious Johnson, Chuck Liddell, Kamaru Usman, and Tito Ortiz, who have accomplished the same feat.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dana<\/p>\n

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images \/ Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

UFC CEO Dana White said he was intrigued by the possibility of Dvalishvili fighting in December, as the promotion has yet to announce a main event for what would be UFC 323, the promotion\u2019s final numbered event on ESPN+ before officially transitioning to Paramount+ as its U.S. broadcast partner beginning next January, <\/a>over seven years worth a total of $7.7 billion in that span.<\/p>\n

When asked if Dvalishvili had done enough to be considered the best bantamweight ever, White didn\u2019t hesitate in his response.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d White told reporters.<\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE: Alex Pereira reveals he suffered brutal injury during UFC 320 fight<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Merab<\/p>\n

Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) fights Cory Sandhagen (blue gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images \/ Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Although there are intriguing fights across other divisions for Dvalishvili if he were to move up, he said he isn\u2019t interested in those discussions. He suggests the sport needs active champions, citing immense respect for those over all the key lighter divisions, including Alexander Volkanovski, for example.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my division,\u201d Dvalishvili told reporters. \u201cI don\u2019t want to try and go up and make a mess because I don\u2019t want to be without an invite. Like if somebody shows up at [Aljamain Sterling\u2019s] wedding tomorrow, I would crush his face in, we would be mad. \u2026 I\u2019m comfortable here. I want to be my division\u2019s champion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dvalishvili says he\u2019s already targeting who he wants to fight next, another ex-champion and someone who has beat a whos-who over the years in lighter divisions across the UFC.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, we\u2019ll see. So far, I have next plan to fight Petr Yan,\u201d Dvalishvili said.<\/p>\n

For now, though, Dvalishvili remains the man to beat at bantamweight.<\/p>\n

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