Merab to 145 soon?

[KO Shotz]

Merab is getting close to cleaning out his division. He's got Yan & Umar rematch & nothing after that. Maybe Bautista if he beats Umar or Yadong if he beats Suga Sean?

145 is loaded up with contenders in Lerone, Diego, Evloev, Yair, Zalal, Aljo, & Jean Silva. Possibly Pico & Allen if they catch a win streak?

If a super fight is in the future for Merab after gutting the 135 division, I'm sure Merab fighting for the 145 belt would be more realistic compared to a Pantoja super fight.

Thoughts?

 

[Yabadabaev]

Merab goes 145 and then Aljo goes 155 by the ago of 50 they go big like DC but still smokes us all

 

[Söze Aldo]

Nah, he's too small for 145. Unlike a lot of other 135ers who are there because they cut a lot, Merab says he barely has to cut from his natural weight.

 

[Tweak896]

I wanted Volk fight before Sandhagen was booked, no idea why so many were against it. Seems like their styles are perfect for each other. Merab just has rematches and Pantoja would easily lose.

 

[DougieJones]

IMO it would make more sense for him to go down than up (not that I am saying he should)... he is too short for 145

 

[KO Shotz]

I wanted Volk fight before Sandhagen was booked, no idea why so many were against it. Seems like their styles are perfect for each other. Merab just has rematches and Pantoja would easily lose.

Volk vs Merab would be insane. Perfect matchup imo.

 

[MMAMidwit]

Petr Yan is coming...

 

[MRT]

Yan, Umar, and then a fresh face. IMHO, Merab should cement BW GOAT status and then consider other 'legacy' options, like chasing a 2nd title.

 

[nostradumbass]

Nah, he's too small for 145. Unlike a lot of other 135ers who are there because they cut a lot, Merab says he barely has to cut from his natural weight.

Why would it even matter? It's not like he's holding guys down anyway. I don't see why he couldn't do the same thing of just shoot, get stuffed or they pop back up, then repeat it 50 times until the timer runs out against 145ers, unless you're suggesting that doing it to FWs would be more tiring, but the odds of him running out of gas are still pretty slim.

 

[Prazeres]

Merab hasn't shown interest in the idea and the title picture at 145 is crowded as it is. If it were to happen, I feel like Volk would work Merab, but a lot of people though the same about Yan and Umar, would be a very interesting fight.

 

[KO Shotz]

Yan, Umar, and then a fresh face. IMHO, Merab should cement BW GOAT status and then consider other 'legacy' options, like chasing a 2nd title.

I agree, but with him already beating everyone, only having rematches as options, & pretty much nobody in the division being anywhere near his level, a fight in another division especially against another dominating champion would make sense. A matchup with Volk would be a true challenge instead of feeding him guys who are nowhere near his level or guys he's already beaten with ease.

 

[KO Shotz]

Merab hasn't shown interest in the idea and the title picture at 145 is crowded as it is. If it were to happen, I feel like Volk would work Merab, but a lot of people though the same about Yan and Umar, would be a very interesting fight.

Merab dominated Umar. I don't see a rematch going any different. The only rematch that is interesting at this point is with Yan. Other than that, there really is nothing left for Merab at 135.

 

[Cantona7]

Why would it even matter? It's not like he's holding guys down anyway. I don't see why he couldn't do the same thing of just shoot, get stuffed or they pop back up, then repeat it 50 times until the timer runs out against 145ers, unless you're suggesting that doing it to FWs would be more tiring, but the odds of him running out of gas are still pretty slim.

I think the question is whether he can walk through punches from guys a weight class up. It’s not like he’s not getting clipped at BW, but so far he’s not come across anyone who hits hard enough for that to be a problem. I’d be interested to see if that’s still the case at 145.

 

[jnes]

Yan, Umar, and then a fresh face. IMHO, Merab should cement BW GOAT status and then consider other 'legacy' options, like chasing a 2nd title.

He's cemented himself as the BW goat.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

He's cemented himself as the BW goat.

100%.
He can just stay at 135 and keep stacking the resume, make sure no one can ever come close the way GSP did. 135 is a live division with some rising talent making their way upwards.

He has Bautista, Pantoja moving up, Lokdog Oliveira if he keeps winning, same with David "Sandevistan" Martinez.
I'd even be fine watching Merab maul Zahabi to punish him for the Aldo fight.

I'm hoping Merab breaks Anderson's record.

 

[Prazeres]

Merab dominated Umar. I don't see a rematch going any different. The only rematch that is interesting at this point is with Yan. Other than that, there really is nothing left for Merab at 135.

The Umar fight was much closer than the Yan fight, at least Umar won two rounds. Yan didn't get as tired but his game was shut down from the start from defending infinite takedowns.

 

[MRT]

I agree, but with him already beating everyone, only having rematches as options, & pretty much nobody in the division being anywhere near his level, a fight in another division especially against another dominating champion would make sense. A matchup with Volk would be a true challenge instead of feeding him guys who are nowhere near his level or guys he's already beaten with ease.

It depends what he wants...indisputable BW GOAT status or bigger challenges. I think he can have both...no need to head to 145 just yet, IMHO.

He's cemented himself as the BW goat.

He has not as it is clearly still a matter of opinion with many feeling that he needs more defenses to end the debate.

The standard has been set...every GOAT candidate not only cleared out contenders, they racked up defenses. Pre-title runs, win streaks, calibre of competition, skill set, etc...they all matter, of course...but only a select few have been able to stay on top and accumulate many defenses. That is a key differentiator between 'great fighters' and 'GOAT'

 

[Xoleth]

Maybe Pantoja will move up in weight.
Or Merab goes down to FLW, like TJ did.

 

[KO Shotz]

The Umar fight was much closer than the Yan fight, at least Umar won two rounds. Yan didn't get as tired but his game was shut down from the start from defending infinite takedowns.

& going back to my original point being that there really isn't any fights left for Merab at 135. He's beaten everyone easily. I don't see Bautista or Yadong being a challenge for him either.

 

[jnes]

It depends what he wants...indisputable BW GOAT status or bigger challenges. I think he can have both...no need to head to 145 just yet, IMHO.


He has not as it is clearly still a matter of opinion with many feeling that he needs more defenses to end the debate.

The standard has been set...every GOAT candidate not only cleared out contenders, they racked up defenses. Pre-title runs, win streaks, calibre of competition, skill set, etc...they all matter, of course...but only a select few have been able to stay on top and accumulate many defenses. That is a key differentiator between 'great fighters' and 'GOAT'

Bro who is close to Merab, don't say Cruz when his best win was a close fight vs TJ or an undersized DJ.