Morning Report: Jon Anik says Merab Dvalishvili is already the bantamweight GOAT

Jon Anik has seen sufficient: Merab Dvalishvili is already the bantamweight GOAT.

This Saturday, Dvalishvili defends his title in a rematch with Sean O’Malley in the primary occasion of UFC 316. It’s Dvalishvili’s second title protection, and if he wins, his thirteenth consecutive win. It will even be Dvalishvili’s fifth win over a former UFC champion, however even when O’Malley will get his revenge on Saturday, Anik believes “The Machine” has already cemented legacy.

“I do imagine he already has standing as the best bantamweight of all time,” Anik advised MMA Junkie. “I say that as a person who if I received married this weekend, Dominick Cruz could be a groomsman; he’s considered one of my greatest associates on this planet. However after I have a look at the physique of labor of Merab Dvalishvili, within the fashionable period, he may very well be 14-0 within the UFC. He misplaced to Frankie Saenz after which a contentious ending in opposition to Ricky Simon. With respect to these two guys, it’s been 12 straight wins ever since.

“He left a assassin’s row of champions in his wake earlier than he even fought for the title. He beat Henry Cejudo, beat Petr Yan, beat Jose Aldo, then he beat Sean O’Malley, and defends the title on the challenger’s timeline in beating Umar Nurmagomedov. Now the rematch with Sean O’Malley? So far as I’m involved, with respect to Aljamain Sterling and my BFF Dominick Cruz, the best of all time, not so quietly, is Merab ‘The Machine’ Dvalishvili.”

The GOAT dialog at bantamweight has all the time been a difficult one, as a result of although Cruz has 5 title defenses, his profession was additionally ravaged by accidents, forcing him out for lengthy stretches of his prime. Even nonetheless, should you have a look at the numbers, they clearly favor Cruz, who received seven bantamweight title fights throughout UFC and WEC, however for Anik, it’s a query of competitors. And whereas Cruz has wins over former champions like Urijah Faber, T.J. Dillashaw, and Demetrious Johnson, Anik nonetheless sides with Dvalishvili.

“I’m biased to the trendy period,” Anik admitted. “I didn’t name numerous Dominick Cruz’s prime, however the recreation has advanced. No. 1 contender sorts in 2025 are significantly better than they had been in 2012, so for me, Merab’s the man.”

TOP STORIES

Whoa. The UFC Vegas 107 essential occasion was called off at the last second on account of Maycee Barber being unable to make the stroll out for combat with Erin Blanchfield.

Unhappy. MMA legend B.J. Penn was arrested for the third time in a week.

Transfer. Noche UFC 3 has moved from Guadalajara, Mexico, to San Antonio, and is now a Struggle Evening occasion, not UFC 320.

Busy. Arman Tsarukyan choked out Patricky Pitbull in a grappling match, his first competitors since an damage value him a title alternative at UFC 311 in January.

Missed Fists. Yup, a dude knocked out another dude in TWO SECONDS with a spin kick.

VIDEO STEW

UFC Vegas 107 post-fight present (and it was a doozy!).

UFC Vegas 107 post-fight press convention.

UFC 316 Countdown.

Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya.

Jake Paul saying stuff.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

On to the Subsequent One. Mike Heck and Alexander Okay. Lee make their matchup picks for the winners of a snakebitten UFC Vegas 107 card.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Jon Jones continues to troll.

Eep.

Adore it.

This complete broadcast was chaos.

Yeah, wtf?

Blanchfield vs. Jasudavicius then?

Chito ran a half with Travis Barker.

Whoaaaa. Far out.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Khaos Williams (15-4) vs. Andreas Gustafsson (11-2); UFC 316, June 7

Stephen Thompson (17-8-1) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (17-1-0); UFC Nashville, July 12

FINAL THOUGHTS

There’s nothing Jon Anik likes greater than utterly disregarding the profession of a fighter who racked up an unimaginable résumé earlier than he began commentating. Man buried Jose Aldo years in the past and now he’s doing it to Dominick Cruz. And I don’t even like Cruz! However come one, man. If the litmus check is “the brand new period is best so he’s higher” than the GOAT is whoever the present champion is as a result of that’s how the game works. It all the time improves. — Meshew

EXIT POLL

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