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Merab Dvalishvili

Georgian-American mixed martial artist (born 1991) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Merab Dvalishvili
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Merab Dvalishvili (Georgian: მერაბ დვალიშვილი [ˈmerab ˈdʷaliʃʷili]; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian and American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. Dvalishvili is the first Georgian-born champion in UFC history.[7] As of July 1, 2025, he is #3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[8]

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Dvalishvili's UFC career began with two losses against Frankie Saenz and Ricky Simón.[9] Since then, he has been on a 13-fight win streak—tied for the fourth longest in UFC history[10]—defeating former champions, including José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo.[11] On September 14, 2024, Dvalishvili captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O'Malley.[12] He has since defended the title twice—first against Umar Nurmagomedov,[13] and then in a rematch with O'Malley, finishing the former champion via submission.[14]

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Background

Dvalishvili was born in Tbilisi in Soviet Georgia and grew up in an independent Georgia. He started training at a young age, training in qartuli chidaoba (traditional wrestling), khridoli (traditional fighting), sambo, and judo for self-defense. He moved to the United States when he was 21 years old to become a professional MMA fighter. Once in America, he began to train under Ray Longo and Matt Serra.[3]

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Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

Dvalishvili started his MMA career in 2014. He fought under various promotions, namely CFFC losing his debut and the Ring of Combat before getting signed on Dana White Looking for a Fight after defending his ROC title, amassing a record of 7–2 before competing in the UFC.[15]

On June 2, 2017, Dvalishvili's matchup against fellow prospect Raufeon Stots was showcased on an episode of 'Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight'. He won this contest via spinning backfist KO 15 seconds into the first round and was subsequently awarded a contract by UFC President Dana White.[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega.[17] He lost the fight via split decision.[18] 10 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Dvalishvili.[19]

His next fight came on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee against Ricky Simón. He lost the fight via technical submission at the final bell.[20] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[21] Dvalishvili's team appealed the result on the grounds that he was not unconscious at the end of the round, but the appeal was denied.[22]

Dvalishvili faced Terrion Ware on September 15, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik.[23] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]

Dvalishvili faced Brad Katona on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Dvalishvili faced Casey Kenney on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.[27] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[28]

Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. However, on June 11, 2020, it was reported that Borg withdrew from the bout and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Gustavo Lopez in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds.[29] Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.[30]

Dvalishvili faced John Dodson on August 15, 2020, at UFC 252.[31] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Dvalishvili was expected to face Cody Stamann on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19.[33] However, on October 22, it was announced that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[34] and he was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.[35] However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout on November 7.[36] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.[37] In turn, in mid-January, Dvalishvili was forced to pull out from the bout due to the struggle of the after-effects of a COVID-19 complication, and he was replaced by Andre Ewell.[38] After a positive test for COVID-19, Ewell was pulled from the event and replaced by promotional newcomer Askar Askar, with the contest expected to take place at featherweight.[39][40] On the day of the event, Askar was not medically cleared and the bout was canceled.[41] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled again to May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[42] Dvalishvili won the bout via unanimous decision.[43]

Dvalishvili faced Marlon Moraes on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266.[44] After being knocked down and nearly finished in the first round, Dvalishvili rallied and won the fight via TKO in round two. [45] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[46]

Dvalishvili faced former UFC Featherweight champion José Aldo on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278.[47] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[48]

Dvalishvili faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili.[49] He won the fight via unanimous decision. Dvalishvili broke the UFC record for most takedowns attempted in a single bout with 49 attempts.[50][51]

Dvalishvili faced former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[52] In a bout where five takedowns were landed, Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.[53]

UFC Bantamweight Championship

Dvalishvili faced Sean O'Malley for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on September 14, 2024 at UFC 306.[54] He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.[55]

Dvalishvili made his first title defense against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov on January 18, 2025 at UFC 311.[56] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[57] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[58] Dvalishvili broke the record for most takedowns landed in UFC history with 92.[59]

Dvalishvili made his second title defense against former UFC Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley in a rematch on June 7, 2025 at UFC 316.[60] He won the fight via a north-south choke submission at the end of the third round.[61] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[62]

Dvalishvili is scheduled to make his third title defense against former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen on October 4, 2025 at UFC 320.[63]

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Fighting style

Nicknamed "The Machine", Dvalishvili is known for having exceptional cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. This enables him to compete at a high-pace and attempt a large amount of takedowns for the duration of a contest without major adverse effects to his speed, technique or overall demeanour. Dvalishvili holds the record for most total takedowns in UFC history, with 97 landed during his time in the promotion. [64]

Dvalishvili often utilises attacks in the clinch, landing knees to the thighs of his opponents up against the cage wall or short punches in transitions. In the open space he will often threaten with spinning attacks, such as the spinning back-kick or backfist whilst also utilising the persistent threat of his takedowns to land punches on his opponent.

Starting with his fight against Henry Cejudo in 2024, Dvalishvili became known for showboating during fights; Some examples of this include talking to Mark Zuckerberg while grappling with Cejudo,[65] kissing Sean O'Malley on the head near the end of a round,[66] and taunting Umar Nurmagomedov after a successful takedown near the end of their fight.[67]

Personal life

Dvalishvili became a naturalized American citizen in March of 2024.[68] Prior to becoming a full-time fighter, he worked in construction.[69]

Dvalishvili was awarded a prize of 1 million Georgian Lari by the country's government for winning the UFC bantamweight title, and he donated it to support grappling in the area.[70]

Dvalishvili has a close friendship and training relationship with fellow UFC fighter, Aljamain Sterling.[71]

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Professional grappling career

In 2019, Dvalishvili won a silver medal at the World Sambo Championships in South Korea, competing in the ‍–‍68 kg weight class. He lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.[72]

Dvalishvili fought in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2 on October 29, 2021, and lost a unanimous decision to Kevin Dantzler.[73]

Dvalishvili competed against Darren Branch in the main event of High Rollerz 23 on January 21, 2023.[74] He won the match by submission, with a choke from Kesa-gatame.[75]

In June 2024, Dvalishvili won a gold medal competing in the ‍–‍64 kg weight class at the U.S. National Combat Sambo Tournament in Denton, Texas.[76][77]

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Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
24 matches 20 wins 4 losses
By knockout 3 0
By submission 2 1
By decision 15 3
More information Res., Record ...

[88]

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Pay-per-view bouts

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See also

References

External links

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