In particular, the head of the organization said that Dvalishvili’s unwillingness to cross paths with Sterling contradicts the main task of the world’s strongest league – to determine the best fighter, and also hinted that perhaps the number two of the lightweight division should continue his career elsewhere.
“I agree – let’s find out who the best in the world is,” Hodak wrote on social media. “I can say it’s definitely at number six Chito Vera. Merab is one hundred percent ready to fight for the title in December. Aljo is ready as well. Neither of them will be upset if the title shot goes to the other. We’ll see if it’s really about true sports principles and wanting to find out who’s the best”
On August 19 at UFC 292 in Boston, Aljamain Sterling lost his flyweight championship belt by second-round technical knockout to Sean O’Malley, after which the division’s new champion announced that he plans to make his first title defense as early as December against Maron Vera, who suffered the only defeat of his career three years ago.