Ali Akbar RosadyThe future trajectory of top bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili, known widely as "The Machine," has become a prominent topic of discussion within mixed martial arts circles, particularly concerning a potential move to the featherweight division. While Dvalishvili himself has previously downplayed such a transition, his head coach, John Wood of the renowned Serra-Longo Fight Team, acknowledges that the clamor for a move to 145 pounds is steadily intensifying. This comes as Dvalishvili, currently the #2 ranked bantamweight, continues to solidify his position as one of the division’s most dominant forces, having strung together an impressive ten-fight winning streak.
Dvalishvili’s remarkable run has seen him defeat a significant portion of the bantamweight elite, including former champions and top contenders. His resume boasts victories over Petr Yan, Cory Sandhagen, Jose Aldo, Marlon Moraes, Cody Stamann, and Casey Kenney, showcasing a relentless, high-pressure grappling style that has proven difficult for opponents to overcome. This consistent success has positioned him as an undeniable force on the cusp of a title shot, leading to speculation about his long-term divisional future. The provided timeline indicates a potential fourth title defense in 2025, suggesting a future where Dvalishvili has already secured and defended the bantamweight championship multiple times, even as he is currently a top contender yet to capture the gold. This hypothetical scenario frames the discussions surrounding his divisional future.
Coach Wood, a seasoned strategist who has guided champions like Aljamain Sterling, believes Dvalishvili still has a "victory lap" to complete in the 135-pound division before seriously contemplating a change in weight classes. "Those questions [about featherweight] are already coming up," Wood told MMA Fighting, indicating the persistent nature of the inquiries. "For me, I want Merab to be the greatest bantamweight ever. In my mind, I don’t think there’s a question, he already is. I just don’t think we’re going to see another one of him for a while." This statement underscores Wood’s profound confidence in Dvalishvili’s current abilities and his potential to etch his name into the sport’s history as an all-time bantamweight great.
The coach articulated a strategic vision for Dvalishvili’s immediate future, emphasizing the importance of establishing an undisputed legacy in his current division. "I think he needs to beat everybody in that top 10 and hang out for a while, break the records and then when it makes sense and it makes monetary sense, it makes sense for his legacy, then potentially those things come through," Wood elaborated. This measured approach highlights a focus on comprehensive divisional clearance and record-breaking achievements, aligning with the ambitions of elite athletes to leave an indelible mark.
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A move to featherweight, while offering new challenges and potentially lucrative matchups, also presents its own set of practical considerations, not least of which is the consistent battle with the scales. "Making weight sucks, everybody hates making weight. He’s clearly not a fan of that, that’s the worst part but he’s still got to make weight if he goes up to [145 pounds]. It’s not like he’s walking around at 145. He’s still going to have to cut weight either way," Wood noted. This insight debunks the common misconception that moving up a weight class automatically alleviates all weight-cutting burdens, reminding observers that competitive fighting often necessitates rigorous dietary and training protocols regardless of the division.
Despite these immediate bantamweight objectives, Wood acknowledged the alluring prospect of "potentially massive superfights if these things keep going the way they go" at featherweight. The UFC’s featherweight division is currently home to an array of formidable talents, including reigning champion Ilia Topuria, former long-reigning king Alexander Volkanovski, and fan favorites like Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez. A move to this division would immediately open up a fresh pool of opponents, offering Dvalishvili new challenges and opportunities for high-profile matchups that could significantly elevate his global profile and earning potential.
However, a critical factor influencing any featherweight transition would be the presence of Dvalishvili’s close friend and teammate, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Sterling, who moved up to featherweight after losing his bantamweight title, is currently ranked within the top 10 of the 145-pound division, having recently made a successful debut against Calvin Kattar. The strong bond between Dvalishvili and Sterling has historically led to a public commitment from both fighters that they would not compete against each other. This dynamic introduces a complex layer to any featherweight aspirations, potentially limiting the pool of available opponents or forcing difficult decisions if both were to ascend to title contention in the same division. For now, Wood maintains that this is not an immediate concern, believing there are ample challenges at bantamweight to keep Dvalishvili motivated.
Wood projects a timeline of "two or three more fights" or "easy three, four more fights hopefully in this division" before serious conversations about a divisional change become necessary. He emphasized that any such move would largely be driven by a confluence of factors, including financial incentives that represent a "life changing situation" for Dvalishvili and his family. "I want his family’s kids, kids, kids secured. Then you start making those kinds of decisions where it’s like this is worth it," Wood stated, highlighting the profound personal and economic considerations that often underpin major career decisions in professional sports.
Ultimately, Wood envisions Dvalishvili breaking numerous records in the bantamweight division before any potential shift. "I do think we’ll see superfights in the future but right now I want to keep him focused on what he needs to do. Easy three or four more fights at bantamweight where it makes sense and then if we destroy everybody through there then it’s like all right, let’s go up and test this and go from there," he concluded. This strategic patience aims to maximize Dvalishvili’s impact and legacy in the bantamweight division before exploring new frontiers.
Before any discussions of featherweight or record-breaking bantamweight streaks can fully materialize, Dvalishvili must first navigate a critical upcoming challenge: a highly anticipated rematch against former bantamweight champion Petr Yan. The bout, reportedly slated for December 6th, would mark their second encounter, following Dvalishvili’s dominant performance in their first fight, where he secured a lopsided unanimous decision victory. Yan, a technically proficient and dangerous striker, remains a formidable opponent, currently ranked #5 in the division. The first fight, held in March 2023, saw Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and suffocating pace overwhelm Yan for five rounds, a testament to "The Machine’s" conditioning and grappling prowess.
Wood expressed unwavering confidence in Dvalishvili’s ability to repeat, and even improve upon, his previous performance against Yan. "I don’t see a world where Merab doesn’t win it," Wood asserted, while also offering respect for his opponent. "Anything can happen, I don’t try to shit talk or try to diminish the skill set. Yan is a great fighter. Again, I’m a big fan of Petr Yan. If not for Merab, he’s in title contention same thing with [Cory] Sandhagen. I’m a fan of these guys, I like watching them. I like their coaches. They’re very well coached guys." This professional respect underscores the caliber of competition Dvalishvili faces.
However, Wood believes Dvalishvili has continued to evolve since their initial meeting. "But I just don’t see right now, Merab has only gotten better — not saying Yan hasn’t gotten better, I’m not in that camp, I don’t know. But Merab has gotten better and by that time, he will get better. If you go back and watch what happened in that [first] fight, this Merab finishes that Petr Yan no problem in multiple different ways," Wood declared. This bold prediction suggests Dvalishvili’s continuous improvement could lead to a more decisive, potentially even a stoppage, victory in the rematch, further cementing his status as the division’s premier contender. The outcome of this crucial bout will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the immediate future of Merab Dvalishvili, influencing whether he remains entrenched in his quest for bantamweight supremacy or begins to seriously eye the "massive superfights" that await in the featherweight division.
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