The bantamweight division, a cauldron of perpetual motion and electrifying talent, has found its immovable object in Merab Dvalishvili. Known simply as “The Machine,” Dvalishvili`s relentless pace, seemingly limitless cardio, and suffocating wrestling have propelled him to the summit, leaving a trail of high-caliber opponents in his wake. His recent, dominant third title defense against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 solidified his reign, prompting the perennial question among pundits and fans alike: who, if anyone, possesses the tactical blueprint to dismantle this Georgian juggernaut?
Enter TJ Dillashaw, a former bantamweight kingpin with a keen analytical eye, who believes he has identified a critical flaw in Dvalishvili`s opponents` strategies – and perhaps, the man best positioned to exploit it. Dillashaw`s assessment isn`t about Dvalishvili`s offensive capabilities, which are formidable, but rather the collective hesitation of those facing him.
The Overlooked Vulnerability: Challenging `The Machine` on the Ground
During a candid discussion, Dillashaw pinpointed what he considers a fundamental tactical error: the reluctance to engage Dvalishvili in defensive grappling exchanges. “I think that’s a mistake a lot of guys make, that they’re not shooting on him,” Dillashaw explained. It`s a paradox: Dvalishvili is renowned for his wrestling, yet his opponents often shy away from initiating takedowns themselves, seemingly conceding that aspect of the fight. This decision, Dillashaw suggests, allows Dvalishvili to dictate the tempo and focus solely on his offensive pressures without ever truly needing to showcase his defensive grappling from an inferior position.
The irony, of course, is palpable. You don`t try to out-wrestle a wrestler, they say. But what if the way to beat a wrestler is to force them into a different kind of wrestling match – one they`re less accustomed to, or at least, less tested in? Dvalishvili’s prowess in taking opponents down and controlling them is legendary, but his defensive acumen from his back, or his ability to escape from beneath a dominant grappler, remains an intriguing, almost mythical, unknown. It’s the elephant in the octagon, never truly investigated.
Umar Nurmagomedov: The Exception to the Rule
In Dillashaw`s estimation, only one man has genuinely bucked this trend: Umar Nurmagomedov. In their previous encounter at UFC 311, Nurmagomedov, hailing from the fabled Dagestani grappling school, actively sought to take Dvalishvili down. While the outcome may not have been in his favor then, Dillashaw sees this strategic choice as a glimmer of hope, a potential path to victory that others have overlooked.
“Umar did, though. That’s why I want to see him fight Umar again because someone needs to take him down and hold him down. Who knows how good his bottom game is? I don’t know,” Dillashaw mused.
This isn`t merely about attempting takedowns, but about challenging Dvalishvili`s defensive wrestling to its core and, crucially, testing his ability to recover or fight off his back. It`s a calculated gamble, a test of a dimension of “The Machine`s” game that has been largely undisturbed. For a fighter whose reputation is built on relentless pressure and top control, having to fight from disadvantageous positions could expose an entirely different facet of his athletic makeup.
A Legacy to Uphold: Khabib`s Prediction and Umar`s Path to Redemption
Umar Nurmagomedov`s journey, though briefly sidetracked by that loss, is far from over. He`s scheduled to return to the octagon at UFC 321 against Mario Bautista, a crucial opportunity to rebound and reaffirm his place among the bantamweight elite. His pedigree, rooted in the combat Sambo traditions of Dagestan, is undeniable, and his older cousin, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, harbors immense faith in his potential.
Khabib, a man known for his astute understanding of the sport and an uncanny ability to spot talent, has gone as far as to predict that Umar could ascend to the coveted status of a pound-for-pound king. Drawing a compelling parallel, Khabib recalled Islam Makhachev`s own early career loss, which served as a catalyst for his eventual rise to lightweight champion and P4P contention. “Umar’s situation right now, he’s dealing with a loss but, in 2015, Islam was in the same position. Today’s 2025 and he’s the best fighter on the earth,” Khabib remarked, emphasizing the transformative power of adversity.
While acknowledging that each fighter`s journey is unique – “his name is Umar, my name is Khabib and we are completely different humans” – Khabib`s endorsement adds significant weight to Umar`s narrative. It suggests a belief not just in talent, but in the mental fortitude required to overcome setbacks and fulfill potential.
The Future of Bantamweight: A Rematch on the Horizon?
Dillashaw`s analysis opens a fascinating strategic dialogue in a division already brimming with contenders. If Umar Nurmagomedov can successfully navigate his upcoming challenge and continue to refine his approach, a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili seems not just inevitable, but necessary. It would be a clash not merely of styles, but of philosophies: Dvalishvili`s relentless, unyielding pressure against Nurmagomedov`s precise, calculated grappling offensive designed to probe the one area Dillashaw believes remains untested. The bantamweight division, it seems, is poised for another captivating chapter, potentially revealing whether “The Machine” truly has a human off-switch.
