Merab Dvalishvili reacts as Jon Jones welcomes him to exclusive club of MMA legends
Jon Jones recently welcomed Merab Dvalishvili to a list of MMA legends while congratulating him for achieving an impressive feat. This sparked a reaction from 'The Machine', who thanked Jones with an emoji.
This past Saturday, Dvalishvili made his second bantamweight title defense in a rematch against Sean O'Malley in the main event of UFC 316. The reigning champion was incredible on the night, submitting 'Sugar' with an anaconda choke at the 4:42 mark of the third round.
With this dominating victory, Dvalishvili extended his winning streak to 13 fights, equaling Jones, Demetrious Johnson, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Max Holloway, and Georges St-Pierre.
Jones took to X and congratulated Dvalishvili, writing:
''Welcome and congratulations @MerabDvalishvili''
In response, 'The Machine' shared a fist emoji, acknowledging Jones.
''✊''
Jones' streak came to an end in his rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 in 2017. The reigning heavyweight champion's third-round TKO victory was overturned to a no-contest after he tested positive for illegal substances.
Jones became a two-division champion by capturing the then-vacant heavyweight belt in 2023, but seems reluctant to unify his title against interim champion Tom Aspinall. However, UFC CEO Dana White has on multiple occasions stated that the promotion is trying to book the matchup and that it is likely to take place later this year.
As for Dvalishvili, he is now expected to defend his throne against Cory Sandhagen.
Dana White considers Merab Dvalishvili one of the greatest bantamweights of all time
Merab Dvalishvili put on a show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in his second 135-pound title defense against Sean O'Malley at UFC 316. O'Malley was overwhelmed by Dvalishvili's wrestling prowess, similar to their first meeting at Noche UFC 306, and suffered defeat via submission.
Dvalishvili's victory sparked reactions from the entire MMA community, including UFC CEO Dana White, who expressed his admiration for 'The Machine' during the UFC 316 post-fight press conference.
White asserted that it won't be easy to dethrone Dvalishvili, citing him as one of the best bantamweights of all time.
''I agree. We've been talking about, I don't know. And Sean O'Malley came in 100 percent ready, mentally, physically, in every way you could be ready for this fight, and Merab finished him. He's definitely there (best bantamweight of all time). He will keep racking up, I'm sure. The Umar rematch is interesting and it makes your legacy even better to run through everybody twice."
Check out Dana White's comments below (0:41):