‘Don’t go down that path,’ Dana White advises Merab Dvalishvili to put friendship with Aljamain Sterling aside

Merab Dvalishvili said he wouldn't fight Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title. Dana White has some tough advice for the rising fighter from Georgia.

‘Don’t go down that path,’ Dana White advises Merab Dvalishvili to put friendship with Aljamain Sterling aside

Dana White has advice for Merab Dvalishvili (Image Sources - Economic Times/Sportskeeda)

Merab Dvalishvili beat former champion Petr Yan this weekend and made a great case to be the next title contender. However, the fighter has refused to fight for the title as long as his best friend Aljamain Sterling holds the belt. UFC boss Dana White believes Merab’s decision will bite him back in the future.

Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling have been training together for a long time under Ray Longo and Matt Serra. The two fighters are now in a tricky position where Sterling, the champion could soon face Merab if he continues to run through his contenders. Dana White does not like the idea of the contender turning down the title shot.

YouTube video

“That’s a personal decision that he needs to make. If that’s what he wants to do I can tell you how that story ends,” said White in a recent press conference. “It’s not a good ending to that story. But, he’s a big boy he can figure that out on his own,” added the UFC Boss.

FS Video

White said to the media that he has seen several stories of such kind end up badly for the fighters. Dana White advises the Georgian bantamweight to not go down that path. Dvalishvili just beat #2 ranked Petr Yan which brings him close to the title shot.

Related: “Just smashed my TV” – Fans mourn downfall of Petr Yan as he gets drowned by Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Las Vegas

This is what Merab Dvalishvili wants to do while Aljamain Sterling is the 135 champ

Petr Yan Merab
Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili (Image Source – MMA Junkie)

Aljamain Sterling is now booked to fight the former double champ, Henry Cejudo at UFC 288. The fighter will be looking to make his third title defense as the champion. Sterling has claimed that he would move up to the featherweight division once he beats Henry Cejudo.

Merab Dvalishvili is happy to sit out a title shot until his friend vacates the belt. In the UFC Las Vegas post-fight press conference, Merab confirmed that he would still continue to stay busy and fight the contenders UFC throws his way. Dvalishvili now is on a nine-fight winning streak and will soon take Yan’s position on the rankings chart.

“I will fight anybody. I want to be busy you know,” said Merab in the post-fight press conference. The fighter also says it is a “good problem to have” with both Merab and Aljamain being the two best bantamweights out of the same camps.

Incase you missed it:

“I am willing to do whatever” – Stunning UFC strawweight shares creepy message from fan making weird requests

“Worst thing any UFC fighter has done” – Fans hilariously react to UFC Las Vegas fighter knocking off beer from fan’s hand during walkout