Merab Dvalishvili hopes to get his title shot sooner relatively than later however till then he’ll tackle the backup function for the principle occasion at UFC 299.
The highest-ranked bantamweight contender, who secured his personal alternative to turn out to be champion with a win over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, will fly to Miami on Wednesday and hit the size on Friday because the backup for the title struggle between Sean O’Malley and Marlon “Chito” Vera.
Dvalishvili’s supervisor Oren Hodak of KO Reps confirmed his standing because the backup on Tuesday when talking to MMA Preventing.
It’s turn out to be customary apply for the UFC to keep up a backup for fights like this one simply in case catastrophe strikes within the days or hours main as much as an occasion. Whereas Dvalishvili is already anticipated to face the winner someday later this yr, the Georgian native will get a superb have a look at his potential opposition throughout UFC 299 struggle week.
At present using a 10-fight win streak within the division, many consider Dvalishvili ought to really already be preventing in the principle occasion however O’Malley will get the prospect to avenge his solely loss within the UFC as an alternative. Vera beat O’Malley again in 2020 and he’ll look to duplicate that success within the title struggle on Saturday.
As a part of his duties, Dvalishvili will weigh in on Friday alongside each foremost occasion fighters the place he’s anticipated to make championship weight at 135 kilos in case his companies are wanted.
O’Malley and Vera are scheduled to fulfill within the five-round foremost occasion on Saturday with the bantamweight title bout headlining UFC 299 from the Kaseya Heart in Miami.
