Dana White comments on Merab Dvalishvili’s refusal to fight Aljamain Sterling - "I can tell you how that story ends"
Dana White doesn't appear to agree with bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili's decision to put his friendship with Aljamain Sterling above a UFC title shot.
Sterling has been the bantamweight champion since March 2021, while his close friend and teammate Dvalishvili has steadily climbed the 135-pound rankings. Since losing his first two UFC fights, 'The Machine' has gone on a nine-fight win streak.
The Georgian defeated former champion and No.2-ranked contender Petr Yan at UFC Fight Night 221 on Saturday and has more than earned a shot at the bantamweight title.
However, his refusal to fight Sterling will no doubt complicate matters, and UFC president Dana White recently shared his thoughts on the contender's decision:
"You can still be friends and want what your friend has. It would be a really bad idea for Merab to go down that path... Does Merab want a shot at the title? Or would Merab rather have people under him jump over him and him have to take on all these different tough guys when he's not even getting a title shot when he's next in line for it. That's a personal decision that he needs to make, 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. He's a big boy, he can figure that out on his own."
Watch the video below:
Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling have trained together under Matt Serra and Ray Longo since 2013 and have formed a close bond. During Dvalishvili's post-fight interview after beating Petr Yan, he stated that he would wait for Sterling to move to featherweight before challenging for the 135-pound title.
Henry Cejudo calls on Dana White to use Merab Dvalishvili as the back-up fighter for UFC 288
Henry Cejudo is scheduled to take on Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title at UFC 288 in May. However, 'Triple C' doesn't believe the champion will make it to fight night and has called on Dana White to make Merab Dvalishvili the official back-up fighter.
Cejudo is no doubt trying to use mind games on the Serra-Longo training partners, as 'The Machine' and Sterling have openly stated that they will not face one another in the octagon.
Cejudo took to Twitter and stated:
"So dear Dana White, I'm over here watching [Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan] and I have a feeling that [Aljamain Sterling] is likely to back out of [UFC 288]. So that being said, why don't you give me Merab... why don't we make Merab the back-up [fighter] at UFC 288?"
Watch the video below:
Dear @danawhite I want @MerabDvalishvil as a back up. Let me show you what I can do. #andnew https://t.co/PJPjRXfOee