Veteran MMA commentator Jon Anik is convinced that Merab Dvalishvili has already earned the title of the greatest bantamweight of all time.
Dvalishvili is set to defend his title in a rematch against Sean O’Malley this Saturday at UFC 316. This will be Dvalishvili`s second title defense. A victory would extend his winning streak to an impressive 13 consecutive fights and mark his fifth win against a former UFC champion. Anik believes that even if O’Malley manages to secure a win this weekend, “The Machine” has already solidified his legendary status.
“I truly believe he holds the status of the greatest bantamweight of all time already,” Anik stated in an interview with MMA Junkie. He acknowledged his close relationship with Dominick Cruz, another bantamweight great, saying, “I say that as a man who, if I were getting married this weekend, Dominick Cruz would be a groomsman; he’s one of my best friends in the world.” However, Anik’s professional assessment points to Dvalishvili`s modern-era career. He noted that Dvalishvili`s UFC record could effectively be considered 14-0, discounting early losses to Frankie Saenz and a controversial finish against Ricky Simon, followed by 12 straight wins.
Anik highlighted Dvalishvili`s formidable path to the title, defeating a series of elite former champions: “He left a murderer’s row of champions in his wake before he even fought for the title. He beat Henry Cejudo, beat Petr Yan, beat Jose Aldo, then he beat Sean O’Malley, and defends the title on the challenger’s timeline in beating Umar Nurmagomedov.” Considering these achievements, Anik concluded, “As far as I’m concerned, with respect to Aljamain Sterling and my BFF Dominick Cruz, the greatest of all time, not so quietly, is Merab ‘The Machine’ Dvalishvili.”
The discussion around the bantamweight GOAT is complex. Dominick Cruz boasts a record of five title defenses, but his career was significantly impacted by injuries, leading to long periods of inactivity during his prime. Statistically, Cruz holds an edge in title fight victories, having won seven bantamweight title bouts across UFC and WEC. Yet, Anik prioritizes the level of competition faced, which he believes favors Dvalishvili. While Cruz has notable wins over former champions like Urijah Faber, T.J. Dillashaw, and Demetrious Johnson, Anik maintains his stance on Dvalishvili.
Anik admitted his perspective is influenced by the evolution of the sport: “I am biased to the modern era. I didn’t call a lot of Dominick Cruz’s prime, but the game has evolved.” He argued that top contenders in 2025 represent a higher skill level than those in 2012, solidifying his view that “for me, Merab’s the guy.”
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely