In the high-stakes arena of the UFC bantamweight division, Merab Dvalishvili has carved out a reputation bordering on the mythical. Dubbed `The Machine,` his relentless pressure, seemingly endless gas tank, and iron-clad grappling have systematically dismantled every challenger put before him. His recent victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 merely solidified his status as an almost unassailable champion, leaving fans and pundits alike to ponder the million-dollar question: how exactly does one dethrone such a formidable force?
Enter TJ Dillashaw, a man who knows a thing or two about navigating the treacherous waters of championship-level bantamweight fighting, having held the belt himself on two occasions. Speaking on the Jaxxon Podcast with `Rampage` Jackson, Dillashaw offered a unique perspective, a strategic blueprint that might just illuminate a path forward—a path, he suggests, already partially trodden by Umar Nurmagomedov.
Dillashaw`s analysis hinges on a perceived tactical misstep by many of Dvalishvili`s opponents. According to the former champion, fighters often make the grave error of shying away from engaging Dvalishvili in his own domain: the grappling exchange. Instead of testing his defensive prowess on the mat, they frequently attempt to keep the fight standing, a strategy that plays directly into `The Machine`s` strengths of relentless forward pressure and suffocating control.
“I think that`s a mistake a lot of guys make, that they`re not shooting on him,” Dillashaw remarked. This observation isn`t just an idle thought; it`s a specific critique of a recurring pattern.
However, Dillashaw highlighted one fighter who dared to defy this trend: Umar Nurmagomedov. In their January bout at UFC 311, Nurmagomedov, despite ultimately falling short, actively sought to take Dvalishvili down. This aggressive pursuit of takedowns, even against a renowned grappler, is what piqued Dillashaw`s interest and fueled his desire to see a rematch.
“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, a hint of strategic intrigue in his tone.
It`s an interesting proposition: could the key to defeating Dvalishvili be to force him into a position he rarely finds himself in—on his back, defending from the bottom? For all his dominant top control and takedown artistry, Dvalishvili`s defensive grappling from the bottom remains, to a degree, an uncharted territory, a potential `weakness` that only a committed grappler like Nurmagomedov might expose.
Umar Nurmagomedov, of course, faces his own immediate challenge, set to meet Mario Bautista at UFC 321. This bout offers him a crucial opportunity to rebound from his loss to Dvalishvili and demonstrate his continued evolution. The stakes are high, not least because his legendary cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, holds immense faith in his potential. Khabib has openly stated his belief that Umar possesses the qualities to become a pound-for-pound king, drawing a parallel to Islam Makhachev`s own journey of overcoming an early career setback to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
“On high level, who can become pound-for-pound (number one)? I really believe Umar can be there too,” Khabib shared during a Q&A. “Umar`s situation right now, he`s dealing with a loss but, in 2015, Islam was in the same position. Today`s 2025 [likely a forward-looking statement for future comparisons, given Islam`s current dominance in 2024] and he`s the best fighter on the earth.”
This vote of confidence, coupled with Dillashaw`s strategic insight, paints a fascinating picture for the future of the bantamweight division. While Dvalishvili continues his reign of terror, the seed of a potential counter-strategy has been planted. Whether future challengers, or indeed a rematch with Nurmagomedov, will adopt Dillashaw`s blueprint and truly test `The Machine`s` rarely seen `bottom game` remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the path to overcoming Dvalishvili might not lie in avoiding the mat, but in embracing it, albeit with a calculated and precise intention. The bantamweight division, it seems, still holds plenty of intrigue.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley