Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has offered a unique perspective on the formidable reign of Merab Dvalishvili, suggesting that Umar Nurmagomedov possesses the specific tactical approach needed to potentially defeat ‘The Machine’.
Merab Dvalishvili`s dominance in the 135-pound division continues to grow, putting him on a path towards potential GOAT status. His recent victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 marked his third successful title defense in 2025. This performance has left many spectators and analysts pondering who could possibly have the skills to unseat the seemingly invincible champion.
Dillashaw Highlights Nurmagomedov`s Tactical Grappling
During a discussion on the Jaxxon Podcast with ‘Rampage’ Jackson, TJ Dillashaw analyzed Dvalishvili’s recent triumph. The former champion noted a common error made by most of Dvalishvili’s opponents: their failure to actively challenge the champion`s own defensive grappling. Dillashaw believes this oversight prevents them from exposing potential weaknesses in Dvalishvili`s game.
Dillashaw expressed considerable intrigue in a potential rematch between Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov. He specifically recalled their January bout at UFC 311, where Nurmagomedov made a concerted effort to take ‘The Machine’ down—a strategy Dillashaw views as essential.
“I think that’s a mistake a lot of guys make, that they’re not shooting on him,” Dillashaw commented. He continued, emphasizing Umar`s distinction: “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.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov Predicts Umar`s Pound-for-Pound Greatness
Following his previous title loss, Umar Nurmagomedov is scheduled to make his octagon return against Mario Bautista at UFC 321. This fight is anticipated to be a significant moment in the bantamweight division, showcasing Umar`s ability to bounce back from adversity.
Umar’s older cousin, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, remains confident in his potential, envisioning a future where Umar stands as a pound-for-pound king in the sport.
“On high level, who can become pound-for-pound (number one)? I really believe Umar can be there too,” Khabib stated during a Q&A session in New York City. He drew a parallel to the journey of Islam Makhachev, who faced a similar setback in 2015 before ascending to become the “best fighter on the earth” by 2025.
Khabib acknowledged Umar`s unique path, saying: “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. We will see how he’s gonna deal with this (in his next fight). I don’t know, I don’t know because his name is Umar, my name is Khabib and we are completely different humans. But we will see the way how we’re gonna deal with his loss.”
