Jose Aldo, the former UFC featherweight champion, returned to action against Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili inside the cage. This intriguing bantamweight bout took place inside the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah today on the main card of UFC 278.
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The Brazilian former champion came into this fight on the back of three consecutive victories. Meanwhile, ‘The Machine’ was on an amazing seven-fight win streak of his UFC career.
Technically, veteran Aldo had a huge UFC experience advantage over the Georgian fighter. Additionally, the Brazilian also had a one-inch height and two-inch reach advantage in the bout. However, despite all the advantages, Aldo didn’t get a nod from the judges.
Dvalishvili showed relentless style against the former champion and took the fight to the distance. He had done enough in the three rounds to win the bout via a unanimous decision.
Nothing but respect between Aldo and Dvalishvili 👏 #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/kc7JTbp11H
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 21, 2022
The Georgian looked so good against the Brazilian star that commentator Jon Anik couldn’t stop himself from praising the fighter. “No one has done this to Jose Aldo before,” Anik said during commentating.
Official decision: Merab Dvalishvili defeats Jose Aldo via unanimous decision.
Despite all the support from the fans, the fight had a sad ending for the Brazilian former champion. Here’s how the fans and UFC fighters reacted to the result of the fight on Twitter:
What an entrance. Performance of a career here I feel. This guy tailor made for Jose to shine. Styles makes fights. Great matchup!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 21, 2022
The plot thickens #UFC278 👑🐍
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) August 21, 2022
It's absurd that Jose Aldo's takedown defense is still this good in 2022. Even if it has regressed some from his prime, it's still miles ahead of most. #UFC278
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) August 21, 2022
Aldo's takedown defense is still positively absurd. #UFC278
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 21, 2022
Aldo needs to get moving, spending too much time on the cage
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 21, 2022
#JoseAldo really thought he put on a show, we these dudes be surprised they lost… Same with that bum #Romanov 🤦🏽♀️
— DominicanJonn TV (@DominicanJonn) August 21, 2022
Why does failed takedowns count more than for the person failing them idk what the judges saw #UFC278 #josealdo
— EANDJMMA (@eandjmma) August 21, 2022
Fight like that? And expect a title shot?? UFC278 #JoseAldo
— Rockstar Medina (@Rockstar_Medina) August 21, 2022
What is next for Merab Dvalishvili after defeating a former champion?
‘The Machine’ is one of the finest bantamweights in the UFC. He has managed to remain undefeated in the division since 2018. Now, after a win over Aldo, the Georgia-born fighter has improved his win streak to seven fights.
Dvalishvili, who was number six on the roster, has now defeated the number three ranked fighter. Therefore, it is very likely that ‘The Machine’ will leapfrog into the top 5 of the divisions.
One more win against a top-5 contender might be enough for ‘The Machine’ to earn a title shot next. Meanwhile. the Brazilian MMA great will have to find his way back to the win column to stay relevant in the roster.
What do you guys think is next for Dvalishvili and Aldo? What are your thoughts on the results of this bantamweight bout? Let us know in the comments section below.
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