Merab Dvalishvili News
UFC Las Vegas: 'Yan vs. Dvalishvili' Weigh-in Results
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2023
The UFC is at The Theater at Virgin Hotels on Saturday, March 11 for UFC Las Vegas. In the main event of UFC Las Vegas, former bantamweight champ Petr Yan looks to snap his two-fight losing skid as he takes on the streaking Merab Dvalishvili.
VIDEO | Merab Dvalishvili confronts Petr Yan in hotel lobby just days before UFC Las Vegas main event: "Let's talk now"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan went face-to-face just days before their UFC Las Vegas main event. Dvalishvili and Yan are set to headline the card from The Theater at Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas in a crucial fight for the bantamweight division. The winner could be a win away from a title shot, and in the lead-up, Dvalishvili has said this fight is personal.
Pro fighters make their picks for Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2023
In the main event of UFC Las Vegas, Petr Yan is looking to snap his two-fight losing skid as he takes on Merab Dvalishvili. Heading into the fight, Yan is a -290 favorite while the Georgian is a +215 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Yan getting it done, and possibly by stoppage.
Petr Yan believes Merab Dvalishvili's style poses little danger in bantamweight main event: "I hold all the keys to victory"
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2023
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan doesn’t believe he’s in much danger this Saturday. ‘No Mercy’ has been out of the octagon since his clash with Sean O’Malley last October. At UFC 280, the bantamweights put on a show for 15 minutes, but many felt the Russian did much of the better work. Nonetheless, Yan lost his second straight bout by split decision.
Actor Kevin James details "scary" sparring with Merab Dvalishvili: "He starts lighting me up like a Christmas tree"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2023
Kevin James had an interesting sparring session with UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. James, who has acted in shows like The King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond while also being in movies like Paul Blart Mall Cop, Grown Ups, and Here Comes The Boom, was training in a gym when Dvalishvili started to work with him. James says he tagged in, when everyone in the gym knew he was an actor but Dvalishvili just assumed James was a heavyweight fighter.
Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili set to headline UFC Fight Night event on March 11
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are set to meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night on March 11, Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The bantamweight division is as stacked as it has ever been. From the top 15 to the rising prospects, there’s a whole lot to like at 135 pounds. In terms of the elite, however, there are a few contenders that stand out above the rest.
Brendan Schaub believes UFC made mistake by booking Jose Aldo's final fight against Merab Dvalishvili: "That was the finale and you tossed him in there"
Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2022
Brendan Schaub believes the UFC could’ve better handled Jose Aldo’s retirement. ‘The King of Rio’ called it quits earlier this week, after an incredible career. The Brazilian captured titles in the WEC and UFC and is a multiple-time featherweight champion. Since 2019, Aldo has been competing in the bantamweight division.
Merab Dvalishvili responds to fans critical of his win over Jose Aldo at UFC 278: “It’s his job to move and do something”
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2022
Merab Dvalishvili thinks Jose Aldo is also to blame for their UFC 278 fight not being fan-friendly. Dvalishvili won a lackluster decision over Aldo in Salt Lake City, Utah in a fight that was primarily Dvalishvili pushing Aldo up against the Octagon. It was a disappointing fight that even Dana White ripped Dvalishvili for his performance.
What's next for the stars of UFC 278?
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2022
The Octagon headed to Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday for a solid UFC 278 card, which saw the welterweight title on the line in the main event. In the main event, Kamaru Usman was looking to defend his belt and tie Anderson Silva’s record of starting out a UFC career 16-0 as he rematched Leon Edwards. In the co-main event, Paulo Costa took on Luke Rockhold while Merab Dvalishvili fought Jose Aldo on the main card.
Dana White reacts to Merab Dvalishvili’s unanimous decision win over Jose Aldo at UFC 278: “I don’t think Merab did himself a lot of favors tonight”
Fernando Quiles - August 21, 2022
UFC President Dana White is not impressed by Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 278. Merab had the biggest fight of his pro MMA career thus far on August 20. He went one-on-one with future UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. Dvalishvili was the number six-ranked UFC bantamweight, while Aldo held the number three spot.
Pros react after Merab Dvalishvili defeats Jose Aldo at UFC 278
Chris Taylor - August 20, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 278 main card lineup featured a highly anticipated men’s bantamweight contest between Jose Aldo and Merab Dvalishvili. Aldo (31-8 MMA) had entered the bout sporting a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring decision victories over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font. The MMA legend had gone 3-2 overall since making the drop to the promotions bantamweight division in 2019.
UFC 278 Results: Merab Dvalishvili defeats Jose Aldo (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - August 20, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 278 main card lineup features a highly anticipated men’s bantamweight contest between Jose Aldo and Merab Dvalishvili. Aldo (31-7 MMA) will enter the bout sporting a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring decision victories over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font. The MMA legend has gone 3-2 since making the drop to the promotions bantamweight division.
Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili in the works for UFC 278 on August 20th
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2022
Aljamain Sterling suggests he will move up in weight if teammate Merab Dvalishvili wins his next fight: “Allow him his chance that he earned, to make history for Georgia”
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2022
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has suggested he will move up in weight if Merab Dvalishvili wins his next fight. For many years now, Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili have been close friends and training partners – despite the fact they’re both members of the division’s elite top 15. At this moment in time Dvalishvili is a rising contender whereas Sterling is the undisputed champion after seeing off the challenge of Petr Yan in their rematch earlier this year.
Marlon Vera calls for fight against Merab Dvalishvili after KOing Frankie Edgar at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 9, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera called for a fight against divisional rival Merab Dvalishvili after KOing Frankie Edgar at UFC 268. Vera finished Edgar with a devastating front kick in the third round of their main card bantamweight bout at this past weekend’s UFC 268 pay-per-view event. It was an absolutely phenomenal victory by Vera, who will now be ranked in the top-10 after taking out Edgar in such an impressive fashion. Now that he’s in the top-10 of the UFC bantamweight division, Vera can now start calling out the top guys in the division. By beating Edgar, Vera now has the ability to call out some big names, and he has one in mind in particular in Dvalishvili, who Vera believes he has the style to potentially defeat.
Merab Dvalishvili reacts after insane TKO comeback win over Marlon Moraes at UFC 266
Adam D Martin - September 27, 2021
Top-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili reacted after his insane TKO comeback win over Marlon Moraes at UFC 266. Dvalishvili took on Moraes on the undercard of this past Saturday night’s UFC 266 pay-per-view card, and the two bantamweights put on quite the show for the fans. The first round saw Moraes nearly knock Dvalishvili out on several occasions, but somehow the Georgian was able to survive the onslaught and make it to the end of the first round. In the second round, Moraes was completely tired out by that point and Dvalishvili was able to pour on the offense using his trademark cardio as a weapon and earn the second-round TKO. It was the seventh win of Dvalishvili’s UFC career and it improved his Octagon record to 7-2.
UFC 266 Results: Merab Dvalishvili TKO's Marlon Moraes (Video)
Chris Taylor - September 25, 2021
A key men’s bantamweight bout featuring Marlon Moraes taking on Merab Dvalishvili serves as the featured prelim of tonight’s UFC 266 event. Moraes (23-8-1 MMA), a former UFC title challenger, will enter tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after dropping his past two fights. ‘Magic’ has gone just 1-3 over his past four Octagon appearances, with his lone win in that time coming over Jose Aldo by split decision.
Merab Dvalishvili confirms he is considering a move to the UFC flyweight division
Adam Martin - July 4, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili confirmed that he is considering a move to the UFC flyweight division in the near future. Dvalishvili is currently the No. 10 ranked bantamweight in the UFC. The 30-year-old Georgia native is 13-4 in his MMA career, including a 6-2 record in the Octagon. “The Machine” has won his last six fights in a row and is quickly emerging as a title contender at 135lbs, where the belt is currently held by Dvalishvili’s teammate Aljamain Sterling. Following a win over Cody Stamann in his last fight, Dvalishvili next faces off against the No. 6 ranked contender Marlon Moraes at UFC 266, and a win would be huge for him.
Marlon Moraes vs. Merab Dvalishvili added to UFC 266
Adam D Martin - June 16, 2021
An exciting matchup between bantamweight contenders Marlon Moraes and Merab Dvalishvili has been added to the UFC 266 pay-per-view card. Ray Longo, Dvalishvili’s coach, broke the news on the Anik & Florian podcast that Moraes vs. Dvalishvili is going to take place this fall. The bout has been targeted to take place at UFC 266, which is set for September 25 at a location that has yet to be determined. The fight between Moraes vs. Dvalishvili features two of the top-10 ranked UFC bantamweights.