And new! Merab Dvalishvili dominated fan-favorite Sean O’Malley final evening in the primary occasion of UFC 306. The win captured the bantamweight title for the Georgian standout and virtually instantly, followers and pundits alike began trying to the longer term. What’s subsequent for the Ray Longo champion? Let’s take a look at the choices.
The clear selection: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov is the clear primary contender. Plus, Merab Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov might be an insanely enjoyable combat for followers of grappling.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Merab Dvalishvili is far more enjoyable than the O’Malley combat.
— Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) August 3, 2024
Umar Nurmagomedov is coming off of his career-best win over Cory Sandhagen only a month in the past. Now with the bantamweight division considerably sorted out, it looks like a conflict between the Georgian and Russian appears to be imminent.
This combat stands out as the most enjoyable and places the Dagestani Dynasty to the check. Apart from Islam Makhachev’s first combat with a younger Arman Tsarukyan, the Dagestani from that camp (Islam, Khabib, Umar) have been comparatively untested in opposition to a stout wrestler like Dvalishvili. Put the popularity to the check.
The fifth straight champion: Deiveson Figueiredo
Merab Dvalishvili has different plans seemingly. He’s hinted a number of instances at a possible matchup with former two time champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Dvalishvili has beat Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and now Sean O’Malley in subsequent fights. He could also be working to combat fifth ranked Figueiredo to maintain that streak alive.
Merab Dvalishvili lays out his dream state of affairs for his first title protection:
“[Deiveson Figueiredo] could be a fifth champion on my listing. … Possibly [Umar Nurmagomedov] in opposition to Petr Yan.” pic.twitter.com/C9qB8fLfo3
— MMA Preventing (@MMAFighting) September 15, 2024
It’s not the suitable selection, however it’s one which does make sense. Ignoring Umar Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili has completed sufficient within the high of the division. He’s simply dominated O’Malley. He beat Petr Yan convincingly. Cory Sandhagen, who’s a former interim title challenger, is coming off of a loss. Figueiredo is the subsequent possibility.
Run it again?
The least attention-grabbing possibility is to run it again in opposition to Sean O’Malley. You would need to take Umar Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo out again and tie them up simply to forestall riots. However the logic lies in the place the UFC’s priorities are.
The brass wished Sean O’Malley to be a star badly. The promotional push was actual. If they will persuade followers that Umar and Figueiredo aren’t the highest contender and it’s, as a substitute, O’Malley, they may give O’Malley an opportunity at redemption and to win his title again.
This selection is the least attention-grabbing and the least honest. Each Nurmagomedov and Figueiredo have completed greater than sufficient to earn their shot and would have completed so if O’Malley gained. With how one sided the combat with Merab Dvalishvili was, additionally it is the least attention-grabbing.
