Merab Dvalishvili News
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling reacts to Henry Cejudo’s callout of teammate Merab Dvalishvili: “He's got a tall task ahead of him”
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on Henry Cejudo possibly squaring off with his teammate Merab Dvalishvili. Earlier this month, Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo via split decision. It was a tight, competitive affair but in the end, it was Sterling who got his hand raised and walked away as the UFC bantamweight champion.
Merab Dvalishvili accepts challenge from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo: “I will take another of Aljamain Sterling’s leftovers… For now!”
Susan Cox - May 9, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili has accepted the challenge he received from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo. UFC 288 took place last Saturday, May 6th which saw Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA) defeat Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA) via split decision in the main event. With the victory, Sterling has successfully defended his bantamweight title 3 times.
Sean O'Malley & Merab Dvalishvili exchange words following jacket snatching incident at UFC 288
Fernando Quiles - May 7, 2023
Sean O’Malley got heated at UFC 288 over the trolling antics of Merab Dvalishvili and it led to an exchange between the two on social media. O’Malley was in attendance at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey for the event. He got a close look at the main event between UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo. After five rounds of highly competitive action, Sterling successfully retained the 135-pound gold via split decision.
Merab Dvalishvili under fire after performing “dangerous” high-rise social media stunt (Video)
Susan Cox - April 17, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili is coming under fire after performing a ‘dangerous’ high-rise social media stunt. Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA) is currently on an impressive 9 fight winning streak,his latest unanimous decision victory coming against Petr Yan (16-5 MMA) this past March at UFC Fight Night 221.
Merab Dvalishvili responds to callout from UFC San Antonio main event winner Cory Sandhagen
Fernando Quiles - March 26, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili appears to be more than willing to accept Cory Sandhagen’s challenge. Sandhagen was in action this past Saturday night (March 25). He went one-on-one with Marlon “Chito” Vera in the main event of UFC San Antonio. Sandhagen scored what appeared to be a decisive victory over Vera after five rounds of action, but judge Joel Ojeda turned in what many consider to be an egregious 48-47 score total in favor of “Chito.” Ojeda’s scores were overruled by the other two Octagon-side judges, and Sandhagen nabbed a split decision victory.
Video | Merab Dvalishvili shows off hand injury he sustained two weeks before Petr Yan bout: "I was ignoring the pain so I could fight"
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili revealed he suffered a hand injury just two weeks before he was set to headline UFC Las Vegas against Petr Yan. Dvalishvili headlined his first UFC event tow weeks ago and it was a pivotal scrap for the division. With a win, Merab knew he would be in the title conversation. Yet, just two weeks before the fight, Dvalishvili revealed he suffered a hand injury, and just moments into the fight, he reinjured it.
Aljamain Sterling is open to fighting training partner Merab Dvalishvili if the UFC offers up “NFL money”
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is open to fighting training partner Merab Dvalishvili if the UFC offers up ‘NFL money’. Sterling (22-3 MMA) is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, his latest victory coming via TKO against T.J. Dillashaw (17-5 MMA) in October of last year at UFC 280.
Anthony Smith questions whether the friendship between Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is going both ways: “What I’ve seen is Merab ride hard as s**t for his best friend”
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2023
UFC fighter Anthony Smith has questioned whether the friendship between Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is too one-sided. Last weekend, Merab Dvalishvili earned the biggest win of his career as he completely outclassed Petr Yan. In doing so, he put himself firmly in line for a shot at the UFC bantamweight championship.
What's next for Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan after UFC Las Vegas?
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2023
In the main event of UFC Las Vegas, Merab Dvalishvili headlined his first UFC event against former bantamweight champ, Petr Yan. Dvalishvili was coming off a decision win over Jose Aldo in August to extend his win streak to eight. Also on the win streak, he had wins over John Dodson, Cody Stamann, and Marlon Moraes among others. Yan, meanwhile, entered the fight losing back-to-back split decisions to Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling and was 1-3 in his last four.
Petr Yan releases statement after UFC Las Vegas loss to Merab Dvalishvili: "I couldn't think about canceling the fight, since I was already on the field"
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2023
Petr Yan has opened up on his UFC Las Vegas main event defeat to Merab Dvalishvili. Yan entered the fight on a two-fight losing skid and being 1-3 in his last four, including two losses to Aljamain Sterling to lose his bantamweight title and then in the rematch. The Russian was the betting favorite against Dvalishvili but Yan was dominated over all five rounds as he lost 50-45 on every scorecard.
Henry Cejudo suggests Merab Dvalishvili be on standby in case Aljamain Sterling backs out of UFC 288 title fight
Fernando Quiles - March 12, 2023
Henry Cejudo doesn’t appear to be sold on his UFC Bantamweight Championship match against Aljamain Sterling actually taking place on May 6. Cejudo is set to challenge Sterling for the top prize in the UFC’s male bantamweight division in the main event of UFC 288. The action will be held inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Cejudo took to his Twitter account to suggest to the UFC brass that Sterling’s teammate and close friend Merab Dvalishvili serve as a backup opponent in case Sterling pulls out of the fight (h/t MMAFighting).
Merab Dvalishvili says he would have killed himself if he lost to Petr Yan at UFC Las Vegas
Fernando Quiles - March 12, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili couldn’t picture a scenario where he wouldn’t get his hand raised in a fight with Petr Yan. Dvalishvili and Yan clashed inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 11 for a “UFC Fight Night” event. It was clear that Dvalishvili’s grappling and pressure left Yan confused on the feet. While Yan is usually loose and creative with his striking, the threat of the takedown, as well as Dvalishvili’s ability to mix it up made it difficult for the former UFC Bantamweight Champion to mount any sort of offense.
Pros react after Merab Dvalishvili defeats Petr Yan at UFC Las Vegas
Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023
Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event was headlined by a key bantamweight matchup featuring Petr Yan taking on Merab Dvalishvili. Yan (16-5 MMA) had entered tonight’s headliner with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former bantamweight champion was coming off back-to-back split decision losses against Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling respectively.
UFC Las Vegas Results: Merab Dvalishvili defeats Petr Yan
Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023
Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event is headlined by a key bantamweight matchup featuring Petr Yan taking on Merab Dvalishvili. Yan (16-4 MMA) will enter tonight’s headliner with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former bantamweight champion is coming off back-to-back split decision losses against Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling respectively.
UFC Las Vegas: 'Yan vs. Dvalishvili' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023
The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili. Yan (16-4 MMA) will enter tonight’s headliner with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former bantamweight champion is coming off back-to-back split decision losses against Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling respectively.
Video | Petr Yan shoves Merab Dvalishvili in neck after ‘The Machine’ calls him a bitch
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2023
Petr Yan got physical with Merab Dvalishvili at the faceoff following weigh-ins. After both Yan and Dvalishvili successfully made weight ahead of their main event, the two had a faceoff and Dvalishvili was heard calling Yan a bitch. After they got closer, Yan grabbed Dvalishvili’s throat and shoved him.
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.