Media Merab doesn't want to fight Umar

[HuskySamoan]

Dang this was like a dream fight. Says Umar is rank 11 so it doesn't make sense. They offered him Umar in May but his hand was hurt and he fought Petr with a hurt hand but didn't want the quick turn around. Says he's ready to fight but against someone who makes sense, give him Sandhagen.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Fighters ducking Umar just as hard as they did Khabib...

 

[VinceArch]

Refuses to fight the champ despite being ranked number 1, refuses to fight unranked opponents now. I think he needs to switch weight classes or find somewhere else to fight altogether.

 

[Sticko]

There is no reason for Merab to fight Umar. #1 vs #11?

When has the number 1 contender ever been expected to fight a super dangerous guy from outside the top 10? Feed Merab Sandhagen.

 

[Sticko]

Refuses to fight the champ despite being ranked number 1, refuses to fight unranked opponents now. I think he needs to switch weight classes or find somewhere else to fight altogether.

No dude, if Aljo wins on Saturday Aljo will likely face Sean O'Malley next and if he wins again he intends to move up to FW which would clear a path for Merab.

If Cejudo wins on Saturday he also wants to fight O'Malley next but Merab will fight Cejudo.

Merab and Sandhagen want to fight each other so assuming O'Malley gets the next shot why not put Merab-Sandhagen on the same card?

 

[MigitAs]

Fighters ducking Umar just as hard as they did Khabib...

They know he is better than whatever they bring to the table so their best bet is to go for the belt before he does and avoid him on the way lol

 

[Buff]

 

[VinceArch]

No dude, if Aljo wins on Saturday Aljo will likely face Sean O'Malley next and if he wins again he intends to move up to FW which would clear a path for Merab.

If Cejudo wins on Saturday he also wants to fight O'Malley next but Merab will fight Cejudo.

Merab and Sandhagen want to fight each other so assuming O'Malley gets the next shot why not put Merab-Sandhagen on the same card?

Maybe I'm old fashioned at this point but if someone is ranked at number 1 and refusing to fight the champion then other choices need to be made instead of this rank squatting BS. Now if Henry wins then the problem is fixed altogether.

 

[Sticko]

Maybe I'm old fashioned at this point but if someone is ranked at number 1 and refusing to fight the champion then other choices need to be made instead of this rank squatting BS. Now if Henry wins then the problem is fixed altogether.

How is it rank squatting if he is willing to fight other contenders like Sandhagen? Rank squatting usually refers to guys sitting out and refusing to fight.

Unfair to blame Merab for refusing to fight Aljo when Aljo likewise refuses to fight Merab.

Ignoring the exact number next to their names, O'Malley and Merab are both top contenders so if the UFC prefers to give the next shot to O'Malley anyway then none of this is even a problem.

 

[Luthien]

Doesn't seem like Merab wants to fight anyone
I'm sure Dana is thrilled

 

[Reverse Baratoplata Sweep]

There is no reason for Merab to fight Umar. #1 vs #11?

When has the number 1 contender ever been expected to fight a super dangerous guy from outside the top 10? Feed Merab Sandhagen.

O'malley - Yan (inb4 top 11 is so much different than top 10 )

 

[13Seconds]

Maybe I'm old fashioned at this point but if someone is ranked at number 1 and refusing to fight the champion then other choices need to be made instead of this rank squatting BS. Now if Henry wins then the problem is fixed altogether.

O'malley is next no matter what. Even if Merab was willing to fight Aljo he ain't getting the next shot.

Merab/Sandhagen the next #1 contender fight in the division.

 

[maximus__]

Dang this was like a dream fight. Says Umar is rank 11 so it doesn't make sense. They offered him Umar in May but his hand was hurt and he fought Petr with a hurt hand but didn't want the quick turn around. Says he's ready to fight but against someone who makes sense, give him Sandhagen.

If he won't fight for the belt against Aljo then he can fight guys from 5-15 to keep the division moving.
Umar vs Merab is actually great match making in this situation to be honest.
Umar gets the oppurtunity to advance and Merab doesn't stall out the division continuously

 

[D 1 Wrestler]

Fighters ducking Umar just as hard as they did Khabib...

Hard to fight someone who is always hurt or missing weight

 

[Joinho10]

Such a shame that would have been a banger of a fight. Hopefully, Umar gets a high-ranked opponent maybe chito vera or Song and then we get to see this fight.

 

[Luckyme]

Fighters ducking Umar just as hard as they did Khabib...

That's generally true but I don't believe Merab is ducking Umar. The #1 guy usually doesn't fight outside the top 5.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Such a shame that would have been a banger of a fight. Hopefully, Umar gets a high-ranked opponent maybe chito vera or Song and then we get to see this fight.

Have no interest in Chito, the UFC fooled the casuals by him knocking out geriatrics in Edgar and Cruz, the Font win was legit but he struggled through that entire fight. Has Chito ever shown us he has good grappling or takedown defense? Not really. Umar will take him down at best case scenario...that round will be over.

 

[VinceArch]

How is it rank squatting if he is willing to fight other contenders like Sandhagen? Rank squatting usually refers to guys sitting out and refusing to fight.

Unfair to blame Merab for refusing to fight Aljo when Aljo likewise refuses to fight Merab.

Ignoring the exact number next to their names, O'Malley and Merab are both top contenders so if the UFC prefers to give the next shot to O'Malley anyway then none of this is even a problem.

My whole point is he's ranked number 1, he shouldn't have to fight anyone else but the champ. The UFC giving preferential treatment is stupid as well but it's all moot on my end regardless.

 

[VinceArch]

O'malley is next no matter what. Even if Merab was willing to fight Aljo he ain't getting the next shot.

Merab/Sandhagen the next #1 contender fight in the division.

Yes you are right.

 

[Joinho10]

Have no interest in Chito, the UFC fooled the casuals by him knocking out geriatrics in Edgar and Cruz, the Font win was legit but he struggled through that entire fight. Has Chito ever shown us he has good grappling or takedown defense? Not really. Umar will take him down at best case scenario...that round will be over.

I hear you but I have interest in seeing Umar get up the rankings as fast as possible so we see him fight the best so if that means a chito fight where he wipes the floor with chito in a round im down for it. If Umar beats Chito it opens up for so many big fights.