Merab Dvalishvili refuses to challenge Alexander Volkanovski

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has made it wide that helium is not funny successful moving up, astatine slightest not until determination is capable situation successful his division. Although determination person agelong been rumors astir a imaginable gathering with Alexander Volkanovski, the combatant from Georgia rejects the idea, stressing the respect helium has for the Australian champion.

Currently 1 of the astir ascendant fighters successful the MMA world, the 33-year-old champion has already successfully defended his loop 3 times this year, and helium volition soon person his 4th rubric defence against Petr Yan astatine UFC 323. He is successful large signifier and it is wide that helium does not deficiency motivation. "Right present I'm blessed wherever I am. I person a batch of respect and emotion for Alexander Volkanovski; I would ne'er situation him. I person a pugnacious hostile and I privation to absorption connected my value class," Dvalishvili said.

Focus connected your category: What tin we expect?

Winning different rubric would further solidify his presumption among the top bantamweight fighters successful history. However, adjacent if helium beats Yan, determination are already rumors that helium could look a rematch with Umar Nurmagomedov, 1 of the astir talented fighters of the caller generation. “If 1 time I consciousness that I person nary superior opponents successful my value people anymore and I person beaten everyone, I mightiness determination up a value class; but adjacent past I wouldn’t privation to combat Alexander Volkanovski,” Merab added.

The Australian regained the featherweight loop earlier this twelvemonth with a triumph implicit Diego Lopes, confirming that helium is inactive 1 of the champion fighters connected the planet. That is wherefore Dvalishvili believes determination is nary request to participate into a struggle with the antheral helium genuinely respects.

While galore fans are hoping for a superfight betwixt the 2 champions, the Georgian remains existent to himself and believes that his way is wide – to predominate the bantamweight part and go the top combatant successful the part of each time.