Dana White is warming up to Merab Dvalishvili.
Dvalishvili made history earlier this month, becoming only the seventh fighter (and first fighter below 170 pounds) to successfully defend his title three times in one calendar year, beating Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. The victory likely locked up Fighter of the Year honors for Dvalishvili, but “The Machine” isn’t done yet.
Earlier this week, Dana White announced that Dvalishvili will make a quick turnaround, defending his title in a rematch with Petr Yan in the main event of UFC 323. Should he win, Dvalishvili will become the first fighter to ever defend a belt four times in a year, immediately putting him in the conversation for one of the best single years in MMA history.
But perhaps more impressive than his title defenses is how Dvalishvili has changed White’s mind about him. Because while White was previously not a fan of the bantamweight champion, now he’s all in on “The Machine.”
“I love it,” White told reporters at the most recent Contender Series scrum, when asked about Dvalishvili’s quick turnaround. “Listen, it took me a minute to warm up to Merab. I’m very warm now. I love that mentality. He wants to be the first guy to defend his title that many times in a year. If you look at what he’s gone out there and done, and how he’s proven himself as a fighter, and as a world champion, it’s impressive.”
White has not always had the highest opinion of Dvalishvili, dating back to when Dvalishvili’s friend Aljamain Sterling was the bantamweight champion. White repeatedly ripped Dvalishvili for his apparent lack of a cutthroat mentality and for some of his decision-making. However, a dominant title reign seems to have cured all ills between the two, especially as Dvalishvili looks to make history later this year.
UFC 320 takes place on Dec. 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and will also feature a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van.
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