'I would love to clean the division' - Merab Dvalishvili accepts Cory Sandhagen challenge instead of title shot against his friend Aljamin Sterling

Cory Sandhagen defeated Marlon Vera in the bantamweight clash with a methodical split decision in the main event of the UFC Fight Night. However, after winning the fight, Vera called out Merab Dvalishvili during the post-match interview. 'The Machine' recently defeated Peter Yan in the main event of UFC 221.

While calling out Merab, he also appreciated him and said that Merab is an animal inside the octagon and he also respects him a lot but he wants that number 1 spot so that's why he called out him for a fight.

"I would feel soo slimy if I asked for a title shot before Merab . Merab is an absolute animal, I respect him a ton, and I want that number one spot... Merab you're hungry well I've got something for you to eat and it doesn't taste good."

It's not a good ending to that story: Dana White

Dvalishvili accepted the challenge and also appreciated him as he said that Sandhagen is a high-level fighter but he loves to clean the division. Meanwhile, UFC president Dana White said that Merab doesn't want to fight for a title shot until his friend Aljamin Sterling is the champion.

"I love the match-up because he is great you know. He is a high-level fighter. Now he'll be ranked maybe No. 3 ... I love the fight... I would love to clean the division. I love new challenge. He called me out and I would love to fight him anytime."

"You can still be friends and want what your friend has... It would be really bad idea for Merab to go down that path. So does Merab want a shot at the title? Or Merab would rather have people under him jump over him and he has to take on all these different tough guys when he is not even getting a title shot when he is next in line for it... If that's what he wants to do, I can tell you how that story ends. It's not a good ending to that story."