Fans have started GOAT talks for Merab Dvalish, and he’s earned his spot in those conversations. Meanwhile, he defended his title three times this year and aims for a fourth in December against Petr Yan. Acknowledging Dvalishvili’s drive to break records, UFC head Dana White praised him as a true champion.

The bantamweight champ beat Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 and is already returning at UFC 322. Meanwhile, the Georgian fighter has mentioned multiple times that he wants to fight Yan to make his title defenses even stronger. White admitted UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has grown on him. At the most recent Contender Series presser, the UFC boss said:

“Listen, it took me a minute to warm up to Merab. I’m very warm now. I love that mentality. He wants to be the first guy to defend his title

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