Aljamain Sterling doesn’t envision any of the current crop of contenders standing a chance against UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Dvalishvili has ruled over the 135-pound division with an iron fist since ascending to the throne at the Sphere last September.
After defeating Umar Nurmagomedov to kick off his reign, Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in their June rematch.
The Georgian’s latest triumph left the likes of Joe Rogan questioning who could possibly beat Dvalishvili. The champ’s teammate Aljamain Sterling has the answer — and it’s not good news for the bantamweight contenders.
- READ MORE: ‘He did not cheat’… Ilia Topuria’s weigh-in controversy explained by legendary UFC referee
Aljamain Sterling says only Merab Dvalishvili can beat Merab Dvalishvili
Like many fighters, Sterling was recently present for the International Fight Week festivities and UFC 317 pay-per-view in Las Vegas.
While at UFC X, ‘Funk Master’ spoke to MMA Crazy and reflected on his teammate’s ongoing success with the title he once held.
“It was a storm coming, waiting to happen,” Sterling said of Dvalishvili’s latest win. “Merab’s just on a tear.”
And in terms of who could trouble Dvalishvili, Sterling believes only one man is a threat. Fortunately for the champion, it’s himself…
“I told him the only person who I can see beating him is himself. He’s just gotta continue doing what he’s doing, keep getting better, making these little improvements to his game, and he’s gonna be hard to catch for these guys.”
Cory Sandhagen believes he’s different than Merab Dvalishvili’s past opponents
During the same interview, Sterling gave a grim prediction for how Dvalishvili’s likely next challenger will fare against ‘The Machine’.
Dvalishvili is expected to next face Cory Sandhagen, who earned his shot by defeating former two-time flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo in Des Moines in May.
While speaking to MMA Crazy himself at International Fight Week, ‘The Sandman’ explained why the champ’s leading weapon will become null and void against him.
“I’m really excited. I finally get my shot at actually having an opportunity to prove I am the best in the world,” Sandhagen said.
“I’m not gonna buy into the narrative that Merab is this unbeatable thing. I don’t think that he is. I think that I have some of the best conditioning as well, so he’s not gonna be able to get me tired like he has been able to with the other guys.
“I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna make Merab deal with me, not the other way around,” Sandhagen added. “I’m just not an O’Malley. You’re not gonna take me down and hold me down. I’m not an Umar, where I’m gonna get tired in round four and five.
“I’m gonna be there the entire five rounds, I’m gonna be able to grapple with you, and then you’re gonna have to deal with a lot of striking. That’s not gonna be fun for Merab, because he can get a little bit sloppy at times.”