Media Merab continues to angle for Figgy fight at press conference

[svmr_db]

 

[Lepo Lepo]

Dana needs to step in and start putting these champs in their place. Merab and Belal trying to be matchbookers to avoid fights, it’s pathetic.

 

[Koya]

Dana needs to step in and start putting these champs in their place. Merab and Belal trying to be matchbookers to avoid fights, it’s pathetic.

Belal never tried but you hate him so much y'all keep distorting his words

 

[itainteasy]

Dana needs to step in and start putting these champs in their place. Merab and Belal trying to be matchbookers to avoid fights, it’s pathetic.

What did Belal say that made him try to avoid fights? The exact quote

 

[StanTheMan]

Belal???

 

[Dionysian]

Merab fighting Umar next is just as likely as Jon fighting Stipe next... %110 likelihood. For opposite reasons of course... one is the extinguish a career and the other is to preserve it.

UFC and career-engineering go hand in hand. Keep in mind they DESPERATELY tried to protect Sean from what they knew would happen... they literally made Merab fight every single elite anti-wrestler they had back to back (Yan, Aldo, Cejudo) in an effort to derail him/protect Sean.

"Best fight the best" lol

 

[Conan the K-9]

Dana needs to step in and start putting these champs in their place. Merab and Belal trying to be matchbookers to avoid fights, it’s pathetic.

Not like they are the first and only ones to do so…
Almost every champ except maybe Pantoja says that same shit.

 

[Tweak896]

Merab is going to get Belal treatment where he actually has to face the #1 in the division, Umar.

 

[13Seconds]

Figgy deserves it more than Umar

 

[HHJ]

UFC: WHAT ABOUT FIGHTING UMAR
MERAB: UHHH ERRR EEEE AAAAH OOOOH UUUUM SO YEA I WANT TO THANK DANA WHITE, IM SO GLAD TO BE CHAMPION ERR EEE UHHH

 

[TriangleMonkey]

He wants to wear the belt and have at least one defense before Umar snatches it off him

 

[Lepo Lepo]

Belal never tried but you hate him so much y'all keep distorting his words

“Inactive? Lol I’m still on trial and Shavkat hasn’t fought since 2023 I think Shavkat and usman should fight to find the real number one contender”

Cute being disingenuous. Along with the other Belal white knights in here.

 

[moosaev]

We all get that Figgy is the easier fight for Merab and a better career decision to hold onto the belt, but Merab is making a big strategic mistake by making it so obvious that he views Umar as extremely high risk. There’s a psychological game at play here and he’s losing that badly. The way he stuttered and rambled in the octogon when asked about Umar was embarassing. He can lobby for Figgy behind the scenes (won’t make a difference) but the total lack of composure in public shows weakness, Umar is seeing all this and imo it will only bolster his confidence and self belief. Every edge counts.

PS Merab should’ve handled Umar the way Islam is handling Arman. Mild dismissal followed by saying he’d be happy to fight him if the UFC wants. Don’t overplay it.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Should be Merab vs Umar next, if Umar feels ready.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Yeah lame as hell lol.

 

[rjmbrd]

Dana needs to step in and start putting these champs in their place. Merab and Belal trying to be matchbookers to avoid fights, it’s pathetic.

These guys are "independent contractors" by design, so the UFC doesn't have to contribute taxes or afford them the typical benefits of an employee, but want to control everything about their career.

This needs to cut both ways - these guys don't work for the UFC, and should be advocating for whatever fights make them the most money. You want to have complete control over them, then pay them a remotely reasonable split of the revenue from their fights.

For 15% of revenue going to fighters, these guys should all absolutely be calling for the fights they want, not kiss the ring of billionaire class promoters keeping 85% of the cash coming in.

 

[moosaev]

UFC: WHAT ABOUT FIGHTING UMAR
MERAB: UHHH ERRR EEEE AAAAH OOOOH UUUUM SO YEA I WANT TO THANK DANA WHITE, IM SO GLAD TO BE CHAMPION ERR EEE UHHH

One of the most embarassing post fight displays from a newly minted champ in history lol.

 

[HHJ]

One of the most embarassing post fight displays from a newly minted champ in history lol.

Even Tito "im not really thinkin about that fight right now" at least showed some fuckin forethought

 

[Lepo Lepo]

These guys are "independent contractors" by design, so the UFC doesn't have to contribute taxes or afford them the typical benefits of an employee, but want to control everything about their career.

This needs to cut both ways - these guys don't work for the UFC, and should be advocating for whatever fights make them the most money. You want to have complete control over them, then pay them a remotely reasonable split of the revenue from their fights.

For 15% of revenue going to fighters, these guys should all absolutely be calling for the fights they want, not kiss the ring of billionaire class promoters keeping 85% of the cash coming in.

Coming from someone with a “don’t be scared homie” Nick Diaz AV, lol.

 

[HHJ]

Should be Merab vs Umar next, if Umar feels ready.

Of course he is ready. He didnt show up tonight cos he wasnt ready.

Merab stammering and stuttering and muttering...

THE TIME IS NOW