Future UFC Hall of Famer Dominick Cruz had an interesting take on Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight GOAT case.
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has the opportunity to not only shut down a rivalry this weekend at UFC 316, but also to add more to his stellar fighting resume.
Dvalishvili will face Sean O’Malley for the second time in less than a year this Saturday in Newark. After defending the bantamweight title at UFC 311, Dvalishvili will make the quick turnaround to welcome O’Malley back to the Octagon in the second chapter of their rivalry.
Ahead of UFC 316, there’s been a lot of talk about Dvalishvili’s all-time legacy in the UFC’s bantamweight division. A win on Saturday could move him one step closer to being crowned as the greatest bantamweight of all-time.
Dominick Cruz weighs in on Merab Dvalishvili’s GOAT case ahead of UFC 316
Dominick Cruz, who retired earlier this year, is widely considered the greatest bantamweight of all-time. But while Cruz sits atop the list in the minds of many fans, Dvalishvili makes a strong case.
During a recent appearance on The Bohnfire podcast, Cruz weighed in on the bantamweight GOAT debate featuring himself and Dvalishvili.
“The fact that there’s even a conversation with me involved, it’s not for me to decide something like that,” Cruz said of Dvalishvili’s GOAT case. “I’m not saying it’s this level, but as a parallel you’re talking about LeBron [James] and [Michael] Jordan, right?
“You’re never going to convince me ever, ever — no matter what, under any circumstance —that LeBron is better than Jordan,” Cruz continued. “To me. But, then you got the latter that’s going to say the opposite. I love that there’s even a conversation. If there’s a conversation, then that’s what this thing is about – and you know what? Merab is making it a conversation, too. Good for him.” (h/t MMA Mania)
Cruz went on to detail why Dvalishvili belongs in the bantamweight GOAT conversation after just one title defense.
“This dude has run through the ladder,” Cruz explained. “This dude has had to fight up and down the ladder exactly the same way that I did. I had to fight my way through the hardest fights in the division, multiple rematches, before I got my shots. I had to earn every scrap, and I see that similarity in Merab’s fights. I tip my hat to him.”
While Dvalishvili has a ways to go to catch Cruz’s various bantamweight accolades, a win this weekend would put him firmly on the path to surpass the UFC legend. Dvalishvili enters UFC 316 on a 12-fight win streak, including recent wins over Umar Nurmagomedov and Henry Cejudo.
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Sean O’Malley’s GOAT case made by UFC legend ahead of Merab Dvalishvili rematch
In addition to Dvalishvili’s GOAT considerations, O’Malley is getting some love ahead of UFC 316. UFC legend Chael Sonnen recently declared that O’Malley should be considered the greatest bantamweight of all-time with a victory over Dvalishvili this weekend.
Before falling to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September, O’Malley captured the UFC bantamweight title by knocking out Aljamain Sterling and then defending the belt against Marlon Vera. UFC 316 is the first time O’Malley has fought since his first showdown with Dvalishvili.
There’s a lot on the line this weekend in the rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley. The winner will add to their resume and their legacies.