Matt Brown can’t wait to see Marlon Vera battle Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title at UFC 299, however there’s additionally a part of him that’s devastated for Merab Dvalishvili.
Regardless of placing collectively a powerful nine-fight win streak and sitting close to the highest of the rankings, Dvalishvili—No. 3 at 135 pounds on MMA Fighting’s list—was in the end handed over by UFC matchmakers, with Vera getting the title shot as an alternative. In fact, Vera stays the one individual at hand O’Malley a loss within the champ’s professional MMA profession, in order that clearly performed a significant half within the rematch getting booked. Nevertheless it doesn’t soothe the sting of Dvalishvili not getting a shot he possible earned.
Brown understands Dvalishvili’s frustration and disappointment, particularly if rumors come true and Dvalishvili finally ends up combating former two-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo as an alternative.
“We really feel unhealthy for Merab not getting the title shot,” Brown stated on the most recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Author. “Now he’s received to go battle Henry Cejudo. It’s not like he will get a tune-up battle or a keep-warm battle. Maintain him in there and hold the whole lot sharp for that title battle. Now you’ve received to go battle one of many best fight sports activities athletes of all-time.
“If he loses that battle, that modifications the trajectory of his life. It’s actually not too cool, however it’s what it’s. That is the world we stay in now.”
Lengthy earlier than Monday’s announcement, Brown anticipated Vera to land the title shot as a result of the writing was already on the wall after O’Malley beat Aljamain Sterling to grow to be champ.
O’Malley known as for the battle quite a few occasions so he might have the possibility to avenge his solely loss, and Vera stays one of the fashionable and marketable bantamweights.
Mixed, these two elements basically left Dvalishvili on the surface wanting in.
“We perceive what the UFC’s mannequin is and why they do what they do,” Brown stated. “It’s onerous to hate on it.
“[But] we like seeing these guys [who] deserve it, get it. That’s what we wish to see as hardcore followers. We’re far more all in favour of seeing a man work his approach up there, the No. 1 ranked man. We’d slightly see Merab get the battle.”
That being stated, Brown is aware of what’s occurring within the bantamweight division is similar factor that’s unfolded in quite a few different title fights up to now.
Whether or not it’s Nick Diaz getting a title shot in opposition to Georges St-Pierre off a loss whereas Johny Hendricks waited within the wings, or Conor McGregor leaping the road at light-weight so he might have the possibility to grow to be a two-division champion, successful should matter essentially the most, however star energy undoubtedly doesn’t damage.
“The extra outstanding you’re, the sooner your path goes to be,” Brown defined. “It’s not one or the opposite. It’s the UFC nonetheless so you continue to should go on the market and win fights, so advantage remains to be going to matter. It [just doesn’t matter] as a lot when you’re extra outstanding.”
As for the title battle that’s truly booked, Brown anticipates O’Malley and Vera placing on a spectacular present, and there’s little doubt the UFC had the identical thought in thoughts when approaching this little bit of matchmaking.
In his final six fights, Vera has produced a 5-1 file with two knockouts, whereas additionally racking up two Efficiency of the Evening bonuses in addition to two awards for Combat of the Evening. In the meantime, O’Malley has gone undefeated in his previous six outings, together with his gorgeous knockout win over Sterling to win the title.
“It form of will get me fired up,” Brown stated of O’Malley vs. Vera. “I like ‘Chito.’ I like watching him battle. The best way Sean O’Malley’s been wanting these previous couple of fights — I used to be by no means a ‘Suga’ Sean man, I by no means thought he would get to the title, I believed he would get smashed by Aljamain — I used to be by no means on that ‘Suga’ practice, however he has proved me improper time and time once more.
“I’ve received to consider in what he’s doing. I form of consider extra in what Sean’s doing, however I like watching ‘Chito’ extra. I’m stoked for that man. I’d like to see him go on the market and get it carried out. Sean O’Malley’s wanting completely phenomenal, however ‘Chito,’ this man has a hearth below his ass. I believe he would possibly have the ability to pull this out.”
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