Media Aljo might be using Merab, will he backstab Merab and not move to 145lb?

[ArtardFiesta]

he is making history at 135. he mgiht even double the title defense record. the only reason to move up is if the cut is unberable

 

[SalvadorAllende]

You think that loyalty holds if Aljo who has suggested he's moving up soon, turns around and says yeah nah sorry lad I can't get a immediate title shot at FW because I'm not even popular in my own town and don't want to have to face the gauntlet of elite FW contenders to get there so I'm staying at 135? Now that would be interesting to see if Merab stays loyal then given they around the same age.

Yes... I do think Merab loyalty towards Aljo will hold.

Merab comes from a different place. 3rd world shit.. you would not understand bro.

 

[TempleoftheDog]

I don't think Merab is that interested in money and fame more than being loyal. Dude seems to be legit grateful to Aljo for everything Aljo did for him.

Merab is no Francine Ngannou.

I don’t know everything about their relationship. But the other day I wondered if Merab is married with children, etc? Because his first loyalty should be to them if he is.

I agree with you about loyalty, and know Ngannou doesn’t even know the definition of the word.

But this is not a team sport. He is getting heat from Dana. And of course anybody that has any problems with Aljo hates Merab right out of the gate. Like the lowbrows they are. Some people don’t like his fighting style. Which is understandable, but there are many people with similar styles in the UFC now. It is what it is.

But Merab is riding a serious streak and the last few names on his resume are no joke. If Aljo, and he have some kind of agreement about Aljo moving up, that’s cool. But Merab is making much less money than he would as the champ. Training partners don’t need to end a friendship to fight in a high stakes fight. Of course none of them really want to do it. But Aljo has had his dream come true. Merab should try to make his come true too. Leaving Georgia to go to Serra Longo 10 years ago, probably wasn’t easy. I’d like to see him go all the way if he can.

But I do admire his loyalty to his coaches, and team. If Aljo can make the weight it makes sense to stay at BW. He’s getting paid, and belts come with endorsement opportunities. But if there is an agreement between friends involving somebody moving up. I hope it is honoured.

That is something they need to figure out.

 

[LetThemBleed]

Yes... I do think Merab loyalty towards Aljo will hold.

Merab comes from a different place. 3rd world shit.. you would not understand bro.

You think he'd pay disloyalty with continued loyalty and settle for perennially playing second fiddle forgoing any championship aspirations until Aljo loses? Doesn't matter what place he comes from because that wouldn't be loyalty it would be idiocy.

 

[13Seconds]

You think that loyalty holds if Aljo who has suggested he's moving up soon, turns around and says yeah nah sorry lad I can't get a immediate title shot at FW because I'm not even popular in my own town and don't want to have to face the gauntlet of elite FW contenders to get there so I'm staying at 135? Now that would be interesting to see if Merab stays loyal then given they around the same age.

Correction: New Jersey is not his hometown. NJ and NY are two completely different things. People think they're close but they are not.

 

[LetThemBleed]

Correction: New Jersey is not his hometown. NJ and NY are two completely different things. People think they're close but they are not.

No shit? Not a Yank so fair play, is it close enough geographically though that he shouldn't loudly be getting booed or is there some sort of nefarious NJ NY turf war explanation?

 

[Area809]

He doesn’t have to move up yet. It’s not like he cleaned out the division.

 

[SalvadorAllende]

I don’t know everything about their relationship. But the other day I wondered if Merab is married with children, etc? Because his first loyalty should be to them if he is.

I agree with you about loyalty, and know Ngannou doesn’t even know the definition of the word.

But this is not a team sport. He is getting heat from Dana. And of course anybody that has any problems with Aljo hates Merab right out of the gate. Like the lowbrows they are. Some people don’t like his fighting style. Which is understandable, but there are many people with similar styles in the UFC now. It is what it is.

But Merab is riding a serious streak and the last few names on his resume are no joke. If Aljo, and he have some kind of agreement about Aljo moving up, that’s cool. But Merab is making much less money than he would as the champ. Training partners don’t need to end a friendship to fight in a high stakes fight. Of course none of them really want to do it. But Aljo has had his dream come true. Merab should try to make his come true too. Leaving Georgia to go to Serra Longo 10 years ago, probably wasn’t easy. I’d like to see him go all the way if he can.

But I do admire his loyalty to his coaches, and team. If Aljo can make the weight it makes sense to stay at BW. He’s getting paid, and belts come with endorsement opportunities. But if there is an agreement between friends involving somebody moving up. I hope it is honoured.

That is something they need to figure out.

They might fight in the future... but I don't see this going the friends to foes Colby-Jorge route. These dudes are not scumbags.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

I think Merab beats Aljo

I think Aljo thinks that too.

This bromance stuff is ridiculous.

Friends can fight all the time. "It's only business."

 

[AmbassadorFright]

If the roles were reversed Aljo would turn on Merab in 1 second. Merab says he wants to be a gatekeeper so if I'm the UFC I'm not offering him any fights and freezing him out completely

 

[TempleoftheDog]

They might fight in the future... but I don't see this going the friends to foes Colby-Jorge route. These dudes are not scumbags.

Lots of friends and teammates have fought in mma. They were friends before the fight, and friends after the fight. If you’re going to be a part of a team. It might happen.

But Colby, and Masvidal are not good examples, imo. Neither guy seems real or authentic to me in any way. They both got lost in the roles they played. The sooner they disappear from the UFC the better, imo.

 

[YEET]

Honestly think Aljo beats him, but Merab is a tough fight for anyone. Kind of awkward if he wins another fight or two. UFC might force the issue if Sterling is still the champ.

 

[Jawth]

If Merab wont fight Aljo might as well go elsewhere and try to get million dollar check in PFL or Bellator/ONE/RIZIN belts.

 

[1BadMF]

Merab is a fool for not putting his career ahead of Aljo's. He will regret it.

 

[DatSamboKid]

My prediction is that Aljo will not make a move to 145lbs. I don't see why he should, as although the weight cut to 135lbs is challenging, he handles it well without compromising his performance. It would be illogical for him to jeopardize his championship status just to offer his friend a chance. I recognize that this is a difficult predicament, but I believe that Aljo and Merab should contemplate fighting each other.

Regarding Merab, it's crucial for him to comprehend that the chance to succeed in this sport is limited. It's necessary to seize the moment and generate income while it's feasible. While I genuinely admire Merab's devotion to his friendship with Aljo, he must also consider his own career aspirations and prospects.