If any unforeseen circumstances arise before the UFC 299 main event, Merab Dvalishvili is prepared to step in as a backup for a highly anticipated fight.
The main attraction of the Pay-Per-View event set for March 9th at Miami’s Caseya Center is a clash for the bantamweight title between current champion Sean O’Malley and challenger Marlon Vera. Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) is gearing up to head to Florida and is scheduled to hit the scales on Friday morning to serve as an alternative fighter if necessary. This news was confirmed by KO rep Oren Hodak to MMA Junkie on Tuesday night.
It has become common practice for the UFC to have standby fighters available for title fights in recent times, even though they have not been called upon to fill in at this point.
Dvalishvili is currently riding a impressive 10-fight winning streak, with victories over three former UFC titleholders in a row. His most recent win was over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision, solidifying his top contender status.
“Whoever ends up as the champion, I’ll be waiting for them,” Dvalishvili stated in a post-fight cage interview. “I’ve been calling out Sean O’Malley since 2018… Right now, my singular focus is the championship belt.”
“The Machine” is ready to step into a title fight should any issues arise during fight week for O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) or Vera (23-8-1 MMA). He is eager to potentially make his championship aspirations a reality. Both main event fighters have never missed weight during their UFC tenure.
✈️Reserved @MerabDvalishvil I’m heading to Miami TMRW #UFC299 Counterattack as the official title. Let’s make it pink panty night! #MiamiMelove pic.twitter.com/Eg0nwTyRFm
— KOreps (@ko_reps) March 6, 2024
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