In the high-stakes world of UFC bantamweight, Merab Dvalishvili has carved out a reputation as a relentless force, an athlete whose “Machine-like” pressure and seemingly endless gas tank have become the stuff of legend. His recent, dominant performance against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 only solidified his reign, leaving many to ponder the seemingly impossible question: who, if anyone, possesses the arsenal to unseat this Georgian grappling phenom?
Enter TJ Dillashaw, a former two-time UFC Bantamweight champion and a man intimately familiar with the division`s treacherous landscape. From his seasoned perspective, the answer might not lie in a novel strategy, but rather in a rarely executed one – and it points directly to Umar Nurmagomedov.
The Grappler`s Dilemma: Why Opponents Avoid the Takedown
Dvalishvili`s game is built on an aggressive, high-volume wrestling attack. He`s known for his constant takedown attempts, relentless scrambles, and an uncanny ability to wear down even the most conditioned athletes. Ironically, Dillashaw observes that many of Dvalishvili`s opponents fall into a peculiar trap: they become so focused on defending against his takedowns that they neglect to initiate their own.
“I think that’s a mistake a lot of guys make, that they’re not shooting on him,” Dillashaw remarked recently. It’s a compelling piece of tactical irony: the fear of engaging a superior grappler often leads to a stand-up affair where Dvalishvili’s relentless pace can still overwhelm, or it simply allows him to dictate where the fight takes place without significant counter-pressure.
Umar Nurmagomedov: The Exception to the Rule?
According to Dillashaw, Umar Nurmagomedov, who faced Dvalishvili at UFC 311 earlier this year, was one of the few who dared to truly challenge `The Machine`s` defensive grappling prowess. “Umar did, though. That’s why I want to see him fight Umar again because someone needs to take him down and hold him down. Who knows how good his bottom game is? I don’t know,” Dillashaw explained. This insight opens up a fascinating hypothetical: if Dvalishvili`s perceived invincibility is predicated on his opponents` reluctance to engage him in his own domain, what happens when someone finally commits to taking him down and keeping him there?
Nurmagomedov`s attempt, even in defeat, suggests a tactical blueprint was being followed. While he may not have succeeded in holding Dvalishvili down effectively in their initial encounter, the former champion`s analysis implies that the fundamental approach was sound. The next step, perhaps, involves refining that approach, or having the physical and technical tools to execute it with sustained success.
Khabib`s Prophecy: A Future P4P King?
Umar Nurmagomedov`s journey, however, isn`t solely defined by his past encounter with Dvalishvili. After that setback, he`s scheduled to face Mario Bautista at UFC 321, a pivotal moment for a fighter operating under immense pressure and high expectations. Among his biggest believers is his cousin, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, who sees a future pound-for-pound king in Umar.
“On high level, who can become pound-for-pound? I really believe Umar can be there too,” Khabib stated in a recent Q&A. He drew parallels to Islam Makhachev`s own trajectory, overcoming an early loss to become one of the sport`s best. “Umar’s situation right now, he’s dealing with a loss but, in 2015, Islam was in the same position. Today’s 2025 and he’s the best fighter on the earth.”
This unwavering confidence from one of MMA`s greatest minds adds another layer to Umar`s narrative. It`s not merely about avenging a loss, but about fulfilling a destiny envisioned by a master. Khabib acknowledges the personal nature of such a journey: “We will see how he’s gonna deal with this. I don’t know, I don’t know because his name is Umar, my name is Khabib and we are completely different humans. But we will see the way how we’re gonna deal with his loss.”
The Road Ahead: Redemption or Continued Dominance?
The bantamweight division remains a shark tank, and Dvalishvili currently swims at its apex. Dillashaw`s insights, coupled with Khabib`s high praise, inject a renewed sense of intrigue into Umar Nurmagomedov`s path. His upcoming fight against Mario Bautista isn`t just a chance to bounce back; it`s an opportunity to prove that the tactical seed planted by Dillashaw`s observation can blossom into a championship challenge. Should he succeed, a potential rematch with Dvalishvili would no longer be just a fight, but a grand chess match, testing not only physical prowess but also the very strategy deemed essential to solving “The Machine.” The question then becomes: can Umar Nurmagomedov truly hold Dvalishvili down, and if so, what secrets might that reveal about the undisputed king of the bantamweights?
Gareth Fenton