Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili reveals his next possible opponent after facing former champ Sean O’Malley at UFC 316

As the day of UFC 316 is nearing, it is not just the fighters who are gearing up for their respective bouts, but also the fans who will be witnessing two title fights in the main card. While the hype surrounding the event is already high, ahead of the headline event between Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley, the Georgian fighter has recently named some of the greatest fighters with good cardio, both past and present.

In the same interview, the fighter also reveals the next opponent he would like to face after UFC 316.

Merab Dvalishvili lists out fighters with good cardio, claims George St-Pierre as his favorite fighter

Merab Dvalishvili won the bantamweight belt at UFC 306 after defeating Sean O’Malley via a unanimous decision. It was Sean’s second title defense after winning it against Aljamain Sterling and defending it once against Marlon Vera. Even though UFC 316 would be Suga's first appearance since losing the belt to Merab in September 2024, The Machine has defended his belt once against Umar Nurmagomedov.

Merab and Sean are facing each other for the second time, and this has increased the hype of the headlining event.During a recent interview, the Georgian fighter revealed his plans within the Octagon after UFC 316, as well as ranked some of his favorite fighters who have good cardio. While speaking to Helen Yee, a sports reporter, the fighter claimed Georges St-Pierre as his favorite fighter, “GSP is one of my favorite fighters, he has good cardio.

Khabib has good cardio. Ilia Topuria has good cardio. Petr Yan, too.” The statement came after Merab was made aware of the fact that MMA fans have ranked him number one in the said category.

While the list was just a part of the interview, the fighter also revealed his next plans within the Octagon and the opponent he was looking out for after UFC 316, “I think right now, Sandhagen is ready. We never fought each other… Maybe, I’m not sure.

Whatever the UFC will decide. Whatever UFC thinks the fresh guy and the most deserving guy is, I will fight.”Also read: Belal Muhammad eyes Madison Square Garden bout amid rumors of potential Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena pay-per-viewCory Sandhagen is ranked 4th in the bantamweight division with a pro-MMA record of 18-5-0. The fighter has won four of his last five bouts and is known for his knockout wins. Merab believes that after retaining the title, the Georgian fighter might be defending the belt against Sandhagen since Petr Yan will now be facing Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi.