In the fight featured on the main card of UFC 278, former featherweight champion Jose Aldo takes on Merab Dvalishvili in a pivotal bantamweight bout, as both fighters are set to compete for a title.
Losing his first two fights at bantamweight, Aldo found his footing at 135 pounds and is riding a three-fight winning streak, beating Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font on his way to becoming the No. 3 ranked contender.
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However, the margin of error for the 35-year-old former champion is slowly closing in and a loss at UFC 278 could close the door to one last shot at the bantamweight title. But Aldo’s exceptional takedown defense and ever-changing stand-up make him a big threat to the Georgian.
No. 6 Dvalishvili, a teammate of current division champion Aljamain Sterling, comes to take his place in the Top 5. Earning Performance of the Night honors against Marlon Moraes last fall, Dvalishvili showed an ability to rallying after being injured to earn his first UFC TKO victory. Fighting for just three rounds on Saturday, Dvalishvili’s exceptional cardio and wrestling can be costly for the Brazilian striker if he doesn’t find early success.
Whoever wins, he’ll be watching his TV intently for the next two months as Cory Sandhagen battles Song Yadong for his spot in line for a title shot. Next, Sterling defends his belt against TJ Dillishaw in the UFC 280 co-main event: Oliveira vs. Mahkachev in October, while top contender Petr Yan challenges Sean O’Malley the same night.
With so much movement at the top of the bantamweight division, any winner among these upcoming matchups may have a shot at challenging for the bantamweight strap, including Aldo if he can get a decisive victory this weekend.
Expect a fun, fast-paced race in this bantamweight clash between two opponents desperate for a chance to be the best 135-pound fighter in the world.
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