Merab Dvalishvili had a great outing last time out in the UFC. He dominated and defeated Petr Yan via a unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 71. Moreover, he is now the most credible contender for the bantamweight title. However, ‘The Machine’ doesn’t want to face his friend and champion, Aljamain Sterling.

The Georgian fighter has been undefeated since 2018 and is on a 9-fight winning streak. It has made him the frontrunner for the UFC bantamweight title. However, he does not want to fight his best friend and training partner, ‘Funkmaster’ Sterling. Moreover, ‘The Machine’ recently appeared on ‘The MMA Hour’ and spoke about the situation with Aljamain Sterling.

‘The Machine’ claims to understand the fight business but still doesn’t want to fight ‘The Funkmaster’. Dvalishvili said, “I understand business, everything, but Aljamain Sterling is my friend and my brother.” He mentioned Sterling’s next probable fight and claims that he can move up in the weight class. Only then will he fight for the title. “I think after [Henry Cejudo], he will beat up [Sean] O’Malley and says he is planning to move up. If he wants to do it, then I will fight for the [UFC bantamweight] title,” said Dvalishvili.

Fans react to Merab Dvalishvili refusing to fight Aljamain Sterling

Many fans have reacted to Dvalishvili’s comments on Aljamain Sterling. However, they didn’t forget to mention Dana White as well.

• Respect to Merab and Aljo. If they don’t want to fight I don’t want to see them fight. All this fighting sh*t comes and goes. Real brotherhood is forever.
• What happens when aljo doesn’t move up
• There isnt a loyal bone in Danas body. His statement on Merab proved it.
• Dana never gonna give him a title shot if he wants to try to wait
• Brave to think he automatically gets a title shot once Aljo Is done at 135. Dana might say “Nah man you’ve had your opportunity, we’re going with these guys instead. Fight another contender & we’ll see”
• Respect. That’s true loyalty
• Clearly scared of aljo
• Henry beats them both
• Wtf is Aljo going to do to Volk? He will get absolutely murdered and I can’t wait to see it

Most fans have commended ‘The Machine’ for his loyalty towards his friend and training partner. Moreover, the fans have bashed UFC president Dana White for his comments on Dvalishvili. But there are some people who claim that the Georgian fighter is afraid of fighting Aljamain Sterling. They believe that Henry Cejudo would beat both Dvalishvili and Sterling. They even took a dig at the ‘Funkmaster’s decision to move up in the weight class and said that Alexander Volkanovski will dominate him in the featherweight division.

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Merab Dvalishvili may be the best fighter to challenge for the bantamweight championship. However, both he and Sterling have made it clear that they will not lock horns inside the octagon. Viewers will have to wait and see what follows.

What are your thoughts on Dvalishvili’s decision? Let us know in the comments down below.

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