Merab Dvalishvili is ready to change divisions before fighting his friend Aljamain Sterling.
Dvalishvili (14-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) could find himself on the cusp of a title shot if he beats Jose Aldo at UFC 278 on Aug. 20, but with his training partner Sterling currently champion of the bantamweight division, Dvalishvili hinted at the possibility of dropping down to 125 pounds.
The rising contender from Georgia admits it would be a heavy cut, but if he can’t get another big name at 135 pounds, flyweight could be an option.
“I want to win,” Dvalishvili told Helen Yee in an interview. “I’m not going to let Jose Aldo beat me, and if Jose Aldo beats me, he’s next for the title shot. But I’m going to win. I don’t care (about) title fight now. After this win, maybe I will try cut and go 125 or I fight Sean O’Malley or somebody with a big name.
“I’m walking around like 155 and I cut like 20 pounds. I never have a nutritionist. I never asked somebody. Otherwise, I cut my old style when I was cutting 10 years ago – same style. Then I see people cutting 30 pounds. I cut 20. Everybody (else) cuts 30 pounds. Not everybody, but most people. So if they do it, I can do it, too. But we’ll see. I’m just focused on this fight and I know that I can make 125. If I kill myself, I’ll make 125.”
Sterling defends his title against T.J. Dillashaw in the co-main event of UFC 280 on Oct. 22. Dvalishvili has championship aspirations himself, but isn’t worried about chasing the title as long as Sterling is champion.
“I just want to win against Jose Aldo,” Dvalishvili said. “Even this win will be big for me and we’ll see what’s going to happen after. We all know, me and Aljo – we’re never fighting each other. I just want this win. We’ss see after, but this is good problem to have. We are best friends. So he’s champion and I’m OK. Aljo makes me tell (everyone) he beats me everyday in the gym.”
