Do you guys blame Merab?

[Sherwolf]

The poor guy had to play second fiddle for years while his teammate, Sterling, became and remained champion. After grinding through more than 10 consecutive wins and always being the Robin, he finally earned the belt. Now that he’s in a position to make real money, the UFC wants to throw him into the cage with an undefeated Dagestani fighter who comes from Khabib's lineage. This same lineage, trained by Khabib's father, has a combined record of something like 92-1 across a few fighters. Merab's getting a raw deal here. Instead of risking it all against Umar, he should be fighting someone else to secure his financial future. Thoughts?

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

That is just a lot of text.

Can you pull one thing out of it?

 

[Blanqa Blanqua]

I don't blame him, but I don't feel sorry for him.

Could you not also say the guy with the 92-1 record is getting a 'raw dea'l if he does not get a TS?

I'd just prefer all of them take on all comers with a high activity rate.

 

[HHJ]

If you aint down to fight undefeated Dagestani fighters then dont win a belt. Simple!

 

[Sherwolf]

That is just a lot of text.

Can you pull one thing out of it?

Yes, it’s #1 bullshit to make Merab fight Umar!

 

[HHJ]

Cry me a fuckin river

oh no not defending my title

 

[Blanqa Blanqua]

Yes, it’s #1 bullshit to make Merab fight Umar!

DEFEND OR VACATE

 

[Dave Poodle]

Nope. Umar's up next so that's who he needs to fight. That doesn't mean he has to rush into the fight to accommodate Umar's religious obligations though.

 

[Hdfi]

I don't think champions have much of a choice at the end of the day. If the UFC wants to give Umar a title shot, then Merab will eventually have to fight him. That's why consecutive title defenses is one of the best indicators of GOATness.

 

[Oscar Madison]

If Merab can go into the audience and fight mouthy bums --

he can get in the Cage where he needs to be as Champion, and fight Umar.

 

[HHJ]

He might as well fight Umar now before get better at fighting.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Everybody is looking out for their own self-interest, so no. It's going to happen sooner or later. If I was Merab, I'd be trying to defend my belt against O'Malley again too.

 

[KBE6EKCTAH_CCP]

The poor guy had to play second fiddle for years while his teammate, Sterling, became and remained champion. After grinding through more than 10 consecutive wins and always being the Robin, he finally earned the belt. Now that he’s in a position to make real money, the UFC wants to throw him into the cage with an undefeated Dagestani fighter who comes from Khabib's lineage. This same lineage, trained by Khabib's father, has a combined record of something like 92-1 across a few fighters. Merab's getting a raw deal here. Instead of risking it all against Umar, he should be fighting someone else to secure his financial future. Thoughts?

As an official Dagestani shill and proud of it, I think you are worrying too much. Umar is overrated. Unless he catches Merab early with some TKD shit he s getting chewed after R2. Merab is going to make him look like a child.

 

[AmonTobin]

Umar has 6 UFC fights and 1 top UFC win. That combined Dagestani record don't mean shit.

 

[filthybliss]

Blame is a strong word. I guess I respect him a little less for backing away from a challenge.

 

[tritestill]

Yes, they should screw Umar over, like when they screwed Merab over when Sean gave Chito an undeserved title shot. Who needs to actually be on a win streak? Just fight whoever makes most financial sense for you.

 

[Goutfather]

The poor guy had to play second fiddle for years while his teammate, Sterling, became and remained champion. After grinding through more than 10 consecutive wins and always being the Robin, he finally earned the belt. Now that he’s in a position to make real money, the UFC wants to throw him into the cage with an undefeated Dagestani fighter who comes from Khabib's lineage. This same lineage, trained by Khabib's father, has a combined record of something like 92-1 across a few fighters. Merab's getting a raw deal here. Instead of risking it all against Umar, he should be fighting someone else to secure his financial future. Thoughts?

veiled nurma / dagi knob polishing thread.

i doubt merab has any apprehension about fighting umar. umar has one ranked win (decision) and 6 wins total in his almost 5 years in ufc. it makes perfect sense that merab would have a problem letting umar jump the line like that. and he probably has a little chip on his shoulder because ufc clearly hasn’t favored him like some others.

also combining records to get “92-1” is stupid. merab’s not fighting 4 fighters, he’s fighting 1. also, the vast majority of that “92” are cans. one of those wins was overturned due to a doping violation. of the active fighters comprising that “92,” merab has as many top 10 wins as all of them combined (all but one belongs to islam).

i respect merab for standing his ground. he isn’t obligated to roll out the red carpet for ufc’s latest hype job. at the very least he should use it to get a big pay increase.

 

[Goutfather]

Umar has 6 UFC fights and 1 top UFC win. That combined Dagestani record don't mean shit.

6 wins… in 5 years

 

[10000yearsold]

He might as well fight Umar now before get better at fighting.

I share this sentiment wholly.

If anything, Umar should be taking his time. I think Merab could beat him right now. He definitely won’t be able to once Umar turns that corner of self belief tho.

 

[Blanqa Blanqua]

If Merab can go into the audience and fight mouthy bums --

he can get in the Cage where he needs to be as Champion, and fight Umar.

This is a great post