'That's a good problem to have' - Merab Dvalishvili talks about possibility of fight with his best friend for UFC bantamweight title

Merab Dvalishvili displayed an outstanding performance inside the octagon in the main event of the much-awaited UFC Fight Night 221 on Sunday, March 12 as he defeated UFC star fighter Peter Yan by a unanimous decision of 50-45. Interestingly, it was his first-ever main event in UFC but he never looked under pressure and delivered a great show.

Meanwhile, after the fight, Dvalishvili talked about who will be his next opponent. As of now, it looks like that his best friend Aljamin Sterling who also holds the bantamweight tile could be his next opponent. He said that he is ready to fight anyone.

“I’ll fight anybody (else), I want to be busy, and I’ll fight anybody. I want to be busy. Whoever. Whoever the UFC chooses for me to fight, I’ll fight. I don’t have a problem. This a good problem to have: two best friends, two teammates. My best friend is champion, and I’m one of the top (contenders). This is a good problem to have. We are cleaning the division.” Dvalishvili was quoted as saying by MMA Junkie.

It’s possible for me to make 125: Dvalishvili

Dvalishvili now has a winning streak of 9 fights, but he has repeatedly stated that he won't fight Sterling. However, he also said that he could’ve dropped his weight to compete in flyweight but he didn’t because he doesn’t want any changes right now. Meanwhile, he might have another fight with the winner of the clash between Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen before squaring off against Sterling.

“It would be a tough cut, but it’s possible,” Dvalishvili said. “Right now, I’m comfortable at 135. I don’t want to make any changes right now. It’s possible because I cut only 20 pounds. I do an old style. I don’t use a hot tub. I don’t use water loads. I just do my own something crazy and I always make weight. I don’t think right now. It’s possible for me to make 125 but I don’t see why I should do that right now.”

“Absolutely. I would love to fight the winner of them,” Dvalishvili said. “I would love to. Actually, Aljo was saying he wants to go watch this fight and I would love to go, too. Let’s see. If they want to give me that fight, I’ll take it. Look, someone asked me before. I think the winner of this, if they had to fight me, let’s see what the UFC chooses. I’m willing to fight anybody. No problem.”