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Chael Sonnen believes other fighters such as Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira could have an advantage over Merab Dvalishvili in the race for the Fighter of the Year award for 2025.
Dvalishvili has been the most active UFC champion this year. He has defended his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O'Malley and is now set to defend it against Cory Sandhagen. Observers believe a potential win over Sandhagen could position him as a frontrunner for the Fighter of the Year 2025 award.
During a recent appearance on The Bohnfire podcast hosted by MMA Junkie's senior journalist Mike Bohn, Sonnen countered this belief, stating:
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"Fighter of the Year is going to be very tough, it's very tough. Merab has done a very good job, but to get in front of Ilia [Topuria]? There's a buzz around Ilia that's almost unlike anything I ever felt. [Khamzat] Chimaev is going to be of interest. Should Alex Pereira come back and get it over [Magomed] Ankalaev. No, Merab doesn't have it locked up. A lot of that list comes down to popularity, which Merab has now." [H/t: MMA Junkie]
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He added:
"That dude is a star. I was at International Fight Week. The mobs and the crowd, they mobbed everyone through there. Dana [White] himself got more, but for active fighters, the crowd and the interest, Merab could not move around. He is over. He is very popular, and people are going to vote for him. But no, activity alone, no, it will not get you Fighter of the Year." [H/t: MMA Junkie]
Check out Chael Sonnen's comments below (17:43):
Chael Sonnen believes Merab Dvalishvili can be a "top draw in the sport"
Merab Dvalishvili's likable personality and easy-going attitude resonate well with the public. Chael Sonnen believes that if more people get to know him, he could become one of the biggest pay-per-view stars in mixed martial arts.
During the aforementioned appearance on The Bohnfire podcast, Sonnen said:
"If people simply get to know him, if he finds a way to get his message out, he comes across what he is, which is very nice, but he's so nice that people think it's an act. But it's not. So if he does a little bit more time, I would love to see Merab coach 'The Ultimate Fighter.'... I think that kind of exposure, where people got him in the living room every day, I think Merab has the potential to be the top draw in the sport. That's a big claim for a 135-pounder. But [Sean] O'Malley had it. It can definitely be done." [H/t: MMA Junkie] [20:23]
Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen will serve as the co-main event of UFC 320, scheduled to take place on Oct. 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
