Merab Dvalishvili, the current bantamweight champion, has expressed his admiration and respect for former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, stating he doesn't wish to fight him. Dvalishvili (19-4) emphasizes that his reluctance is rooted in respect rather than fear or risk aversion. He noted other potential matchups, including a callout from flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. Despite Dvalishvili's successful title defense history, recent setbacks for Volkanovski, including losing his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria, have cast uncertainty on his career trajectory as he prepares for a title fight against Diego Lopes.
I love Alex Volkanovski man, he is one of the greatest. And I just really respect him. It's nothing like I don't want to take a risk or it's not that I'm scared or something. But just have so much respect. Just don't want to fight Alex Volkanovski.
Dvalishvili won the title with a dominant decision win over Sean O'Malley at UFC 306 last year and has since defended it with another decision win over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 this past January.
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