Merab Dvalishvili has rapidly ascended the ranks of the UFC bantamweight division, amassing a 19-4-0 record and securing the championship title. His notable victories over top-tier opponents, including Sean O’Malley, Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, José Aldo, and now Umar Nurmagomedov, have solidified his position as a formidable force in the division. This has sparked a debate about whether he is the greatest UFC Bantamweight ever.
Former Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo recently praised Dvalishvili, calling him the GOAT of the division simply because of the fighters he defeated. While he has defeated many great names, “The Machine” didn’t defeat the best versions of these fighters.
Henry Cejudo recently gave Dvalishvili great praise by calling him the GOAT of the division simply because of the fighters he defeated, and there is some credibility behind that. Despite not beating the likes of Petr Yan, Jose Aldo and Henry Cejudo in championship matches, all of these fighters are/were championship-level fighters.
Firstly, Marlon Moraes was coming off two devasting knockouts to Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font heading into his fight with Dvalishvili, who nearly lost to Moraes in round one. Also, even though Merab secured the win in the second round, that win didn’t go on to age well. Moraes lost the final four fights of his career by KO/TKO.
Secondly, the win over Jose Aldo was convincing, but against Aldo at the tail end of his career, he was much slower and less explosive than the Aldo we had seen from 2010-2017.
The win over Petr Yan was Merab’s best performance in the lead-up to his title run. Despite being on a two-fight skid, Yan came off two cruel split-decision losses to Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. Merab completely neutralised Yan, and there’s no shadow of doubt in the quality of that win in my opinion.
The win over Cejudo was against a much older Cejudo, who had returned for his second fight after four years out. That being said, I still think Cejudo was still at a high-level when Dvalishvili fought him. His return fight vs Aljamain Sterling was very competitive. Going to split decision against a man who is widely regarded as the GOAT bantamweight after leaving the sport for multiple years is very impressive. However, against a prime Cejudo does Dvalishvili win that fight? I’m not as confident but I can definitely see a world where he does.
His title win and defences against Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov were impressive as to how he nullified the former champion and the undefeated next big thing. I don’t think there’s any dispute about those wins.
Despite these impressive victories, Dvalishvili never faced certain prominent figures in the bantamweight division, such as Aljamain Sterling (his teammate), TJ Dillashaw, and Dominick Cruz. Notably, Dvalishvili has expressed his respect for Sterling and Cruz, stating, “No, Aljamain Sterling is the greatest, and don’t forget Dominick Cruz is still one of the greatest.” when being asked if he’s the greatest UFC Bantamweight of all time.
Who’s ahead:
Dominick Cruz: The Division Pioneer
Dominick Cruz is often credited with revolutionising the bantamweight division. His unique footwork, high fight IQ, and ability to adapt have made him one of the most decorated champions in MMA history.
- Notable Fights:
- Urijah Faber II and III: Cruz avenged his WEC title loss to Faber with dominant wins in their rematches.
- Demetrious Johnson: Cruz defeated a future pound-for-pound great in Johnson with superior grappling and size.
- TJ Dillashaw: In his return from a long injury layoff, Cruz reclaimed the bantamweight title in a razor-close fight against Dillashaw.
- Cody Garbrandt: Although he lost, Cruz’s fight with Garbrandt was a showcase of striking and footwork from both sides.
Cruz’s ability to hold the belt across two eras (WEC and UFC) and his success against some of the best fighters of his time make him a key figure in the GOAT conversation.
TJ Dillashaw: The Versatile Striker
TJ Dillashaw’s championship reign was marked by his exceptional striking and footwork. A polarizing figure in MMA due to his PED suspension, Dillashaw’s in-cage performances remain legendary.
- Notable Fights:
- Renan Barão I and II: Dillashaw shocked the world by dismantling the heavily favored Barão to claim the title and then solidified it with a dominant rematch win.
- Cody Garbrandt I and II: Dillashaw knocked out his former teammate twice, showcasing his adaptability and killer instinct.
- Henry Cejudo: In a failed attempt to move down to flyweight, Dillashaw was stopped by Cejudo in under a minute.
- Cory Sandhagen: After his PED suspension, Dillashaw returned with a split-decision win over rising star Sandhagen in a grueling fight.
Despite the controversies, Dillashaw’s skills and resume are undeniable.
Aljamain Sterling: The Submission Specialist
Aljamain Sterling’s reign as bantamweight champion was highlighted by his grappling acumen and ability to adjust his game plan against diverse opponents.
- Notable Fights:
- Petr Yan I and II: Sterling’s first fight with Yan ended in controversy due to an illegal knee, but he silenced critics by defeating Yan via decision in their rematch.
- TJ Dillashaw: Sterling finished Dillashaw via TKO, exploiting his opponent’s injury to secure a dominant victory.
- Henry Cejudo: In his final title defense, Sterling defeated Cejudo in a highly competitive bout, solidifying his reign.
- Cory Sandhagen: Sterling submitted Sandhagen in under 90 seconds with a brilliant rear-naked choke.
Sterling’s combination of wrestling and submission skills makes him one of the most well-rounded fighters in bantamweight history.
Where Does Merab Stand?
While Dvalishvili’s wins over top-tier opponents like Yan and Aldo are impressive, the depth of his resume doesn’t yet match that of Cruz, Dillashaw, or Sterling. One factor holding him back is his refusal to fight Aljamain Sterling, his close friend and training partner, which could have been a defining matchup in his career, however, I do not blame him for not doing that.
Cruz pioneered the division, Dillashaw redefined its striking, and Sterling excelled with grappling. Merab has the chance to bring a unique, cardio-heavy style to the GOAT discussion, but he needs to continue building his resume with wins over other legends and dominant title defenses.
I genuinely think this call from Henry Cejudo comes from “Triple C” trying to protect his legacy. When you retire from the sport on top, then return, losing two fights to the next generation of bantamweight the feeling of near invincibility fades away. I think that’s what Cejudo is currently feeling now.
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