UFC San Antonio event was filled with action as top bantamweight contenders Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen faced off in a five-round battle.
Sandhagen emerged victorious, much to the delight of the crowd, which included the current bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling and his close friend and fellow 135-pounder, Merab Dvalishvili.
Cory Sandhagen has a message for Merab Dvalishvili 🗣 #UFCSanAntonio pic.twitter.com/AUuZ60Lnbz
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 26, 2023
However, not all fans were pleased with Dvalishvili’s decision to not call out Sterling, and one fan even called him out for it while he was signing autographs. The incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral on social media.
Heckling Leads to Confrontation As Dvalishvili was signing autographs, a fan shouted at him and Sterling, asking him to fight the champ. This heckling continued until Dvalishvili decided to confront the fan, even climbing up the stand to get closer to him.
While some fans applauded Dvalishvili’s loyalty to Sterling, others criticized his decision not to reach for the title. MMA fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the incident and the ongoing debate.
Despite holding the number one spot in the division, Dvalishvili’s decision not to face Sterling means that he needs to look for another opponent. Sandhagen’s win could not have come at a better time, as he called out Dvalishvili after his victory. This move ensures that the division does not get held up while Sterling defends his title.
The incident involving Dvalishvili and the heckler has left fans divided. Some fans are impressed by Dvalishvili’s loyalty to Sterling and his refusal, while others believe that he should put his loyalty aside. Some fans even called for MMA pros to retaliate against fans who speak recklessly.