UFC flyweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has offered his perspective on why Islam Makhachev should take on Ilia Topuria in a fight.
Dvalishvili recalled a conversation with Makhachev at a UFC 311 press conference. According to Dvalishvili, Makhachev stated, “Merab, I respect you, but when you have a top contender, you have to fight them.” Dvalishvili agreed with this sentiment at the time. However, he now points out that Islam Makhachev appears hesitant to fight Topuria, who is currently considered a leading challenger in the division. Dvalishvili highlighted what he perceives as a double standard, noting that Makhachev has not received the same level of criticism for potentially avoiding this fight as Dvalishvili himself has faced in the past.
