Opinion: Is the UFC Stacking the Deck against Merab Dvalishvili?

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We all know the Ultimate Fighting Championship plays favorites. The company has particular combatants it prefers to have sitting upon the thrones of their respective divisions—fighters most likely to become attractions. While popularity isn’t completely dependent upon winning a title—Donald Cerrone is a prime example—there’s no doubt that it helps. For example, Conor McGregor doesn’t become the star we know today if he doesn’t become a simultaneous two-division champion first.

The UFC isn’t…