Merab Dvalishvili Coach Admits White House Event Opens Up Possibility for Alexandre Pantoja Super Fight

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili wants to be a part of the much-anticipated White House event fight card.

Merab Dvalishvili Coach Admits White House Event Opens Up Possibility for Alexandre Pantoja Super Fight

Merab Dvalishvili wants to fight Alexandre Pantoja at the White House event (via X)

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The upcoming White House event is expected to be historic, as it already stands out among the most anticipated gatherings. With nearly a year left until the occasion, top superstars have openly expressed interest in joining and making appearances. Among them, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has voiced his enthusiasm, confirming interest in participating and representing Georgia.

Dvalishvili has proven himself as a dominant bantamweight champion, earning two title defenses while defeating some of the toughest opponents. His victories include dismantling legendary names, which solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent fighters on the UFC roster. 

Now, the Georgian champion has shifted his focus toward big-money opportunities, with one possibility being a showdown against Alexandre Pantoja. In a recent interview, Dvalishvili’s coach revealed the White House event would be the perfect stage for this epic fight.

I think so. I think Merab is probably one of the bigger star in UFC right now and fan favorite. If you want to do something special at the White House, you wanna have a banger of a card. That’s probably where you would see the whole Pantoja and Merab talk coming in.

John Wood via Home of Fight 

Pantoja has been ruling the UFC flyweight division for quite some time now, successfully defending his championship gold on four occasions. He has finished some of the biggest challenges the division offered, including notable names like Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France. He has frequently shown interest in eventually fighting Dvalishvili, aiming to become a double champion, and hype remains massive.

The White House card already seems crowded since many superstars, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, have shared serious interest. Many experts strongly believe patriotic American fighters, such as Sean Strickland and Michael Chandler, might mainly dominate the fight card. According to Dana White, the “Notorious” truly stands out as the perfect individual to headline such a colossal event.

Though Dvalishvili has participated in big events like Noche UFC and continues building a growing fan base, his pay-per-view appeal is lacking. Unlike other major superstars, he hasn’t reached that commercial level yet, though his dominance and consistency keep raising his recognition. Nevertheless, the ‘Machine’ remains the most active champion currently present on the UFC roster, never hesitating to defend.

Merab Dvalishvili predicts his next title bout 

Merab Dvalishvili has already stepped inside the octagon twice this year, first facing Umar Nurmagomedov and later Sean O’Malley. In both of those high-profile bouts, the Georgian displayed his signature dominance through non-stop pressure, forcing opponents constantly onto the back foot.

Merab Dvalishvili plans to get a knockout win
Merab Dvalishvili plans to get a knockout win (via X)

Against the previously undefeated Dagestani, Merab Dvalishvili delivered a technical masterclass performance, effectively dismantling the hype surrounding Team Khabib with calculated control. Months after that contest concluded, lingering animosity between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov still remains palpable, showing tensions extend well beyond the cage.

Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili eagerly pursued a rematch against Sean O’Malley and successfully secured victory, finishing the popular star via submission. Currently, the reigning champion is scheduled against Cory Sandhagen, entering as the betting favorite, and recently shared bold predictions regarding their matchup.

It’s a new fight for me. Cory Sandhagen is a dangerous opponent. I’m looking for a because in an working on my striking. This fight, it’s gonna go on the foot. It’s MMA fight, we have to be ready for everything.

Merab Dvalishvili via MMA Junkie

Dvalishvili has never been recognized for possessing knockout power capable of delivering flashy finishes, but he now plans to change this. On the other hand, Sandhagen remains calm regarding the upcoming title fight and has entertained fans by creating lighthearted skits. Nevertheless, Sandhagen possesses a legitimate opportunity to upset Dvalishvili, potentially securing one of the division’s biggest surprises. 

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