Media No, Merab wasn't screwed out of a title shot

[flowoftruth]

There is a new narrative from Merab fans that he doesn't want to fight Umar because he had to go through a gauntlet of contenders before UFC would give him an opportunity.
It is true that many fighters have a much longer road than others imposed on them by the UFC before getting a title shot - see : Tony, Dariush, Demian Maia, Ankalaev, Belal.

However, Merab certainly wasn't one of them. In fact, he took himself out of the conversation by telling anyone that would listen that he's not going to fight Aljo for the belt. Even when Aljo lost the belt, there was a period where Merab was saying he may wait and let Aljo have a rematch first. Dana was very pissed at him and at one point was saying he shouldn't be in the UFC if that's his mentality.

"“After Aljamain Sterling, I am the No. 1 contender. We all know that,” Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie. “I have a nine-fight winning streak and I beat two former champions back to back. I fought everybody who they put in front of me. … I think the right way is that Aljo comes back, beat O’Malley, get his belt back, and I think after that he may go up a weight class." - SOURCE

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Merab fans

I think it's more Sean haters unless we got an injection of triathlete fans who dream of weaponizing their cardio

 

[Substance Abuse]

Yes, TS, you are correct, Chito was deserving of his shot against Sean O'Malley coming off of a blowout loss against Sandhagen over Merab who had not lost a fight in six years and was on a ten fight win streak. Don't even mention the Munhoz win, which was razor thin and could have gone to Pedro, putting Vera on a losing streak.

 

[jk7707]

Yes, TS, you are correct, Chito was deserving of his shot against Sean O'Malley coming off of a blowout loss against Sandhagen over Merab who had not lost a fight in six years and was on a ten fight win streak.

 

[maximus__]

Yes, TS, you are correct, Chito was deserving of his shot against Sean O'Malley coming off of a blowout loss against Sandhagen over Merab who had not lost a fight in six years and was on a ten fight win streak. Don't even mention the Munhoz win, which was razor thin and could have gone to Pedro, putting Vera on a losing streak.

I am a fan of Chito but his fight against Sean was stupid and designed to get him a defence against the only person he could beat in the top 10.
Everyone else was a horrible match up for him, no matter what way you look at it.

 

[TheTickG]

I think it's more Sean haters unless we got an injection of triathlete fans who dream of weaponizing their cardio

Fan of weaponized cardio and knees to the ribs. Merab fan checking in.

 

[SuperAlly]

Man, Sean fans are desperate

 

[flowoftruth]

Yes, TS, you are correct, Chito was deserving of his shot against Sean O'Malley coming off of a blowout loss against Sandhagen over Merab who had not lost a fight in six years and was on a ten fight win streak. Don't even mention the Munhoz win, which was razor thin and could have gone to Pedro, putting Vera on a losing streak.

When did I say Chito deserved a title shot ?

 

[nonoob]

I am a fan of Chito but his fight against Sean was stupid and designed to get him a defence against the only person he could beat in the top 10.
Everyone else was a horrible match up for him, no matter what way you look at it.

True AF.​

When did I say Chito deserved a title shot ?

Ya didn't. Dana's earlier clip was only posted to start drama Against Merab.

 

[flowoftruth]

True AF.​

Ya didn't. Dana's earlier clip was only posted to start drama Against Merab.

He was refusing title shots and so the matchmakers prioritised other guys, what do you expect?

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Yes, TS, you are correct, Chito was deserving of his shot against Sean O'Malley coming off of a blowout loss against Sandhagen over Merab who had not lost a fight in six years and was on a ten fight win streak. Don't even mention the Munhoz win, which was razor thin and could have gone to Pedro, putting Vera on a losing streak.

I agree with the sarcastic interpretation, but if we are being honest the UFC wants guys who will kill their best friend if necessary to be champion.

If you want to be a UFC champion (or a contender) they need to know you’ll fight anyone in your weight class, regardless of circumstance, as it effects their ability to book and make money off you. They’ll make special circumstances only for their cash-cows, and sadly for Merab he’s not one of those exceptions to the rule.

It’s evil, cruel, cut-throat bullshit, but that’s the game they’ve been playing since their inception.

 

[Blanqa Blanqua]

Yes, TS, you are correct, Chito was deserving of his shot against Sean O'Malley coming off of a blowout loss against Sandhagen over Merab who had not lost a fight in six years and was on a ten fight win streak. Don't even mention the Munhoz win, which was razor thin and could have gone to Pedro, putting Vera on a losing streak.

Don't blame Chito for all this ffs lol.