Merab Dvalishvili News
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
UFC bantamweight title contenders Jose Aldo and Merab Dvalishvili could have a date in the near future. The UFC’s 135-pound division is a weight class stacked with contenders. The champion Aljamain Sterling is fresh off a victory over Petr Yan in April at UFC 273. Following the victory, ‘Funk Master’ was rumored for a matchup with either T.J. Dillashaw or Jose Aldo.
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 explains why he would never fight Aljamain Sterling
Adam D Martin - September 24, 2021
One of the rising contenders at 135lbs, Merab Dvalishvili explained why he would never fight UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling. Dvalishvili is currently riding a six-fight win streak into his bantamweight bout against Marlon Moraes at this Saturday’s UFC 266 event. Should Dvalishvili win the fight, he would move closer to the top-five of the 135lbs weight class, and therefore, closer to the man at the top, his teammate at Serra-Longo Fight Team, Sterling. The team right now has two of the best bantamweights in the world in the same stable, which could lead to a tricky situation if both men keep winning. But as far as Dvalishvili is concerned, he will not be fighting Sterling, regardless of whether or not there is a belt on the line between them.
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.
Merab Dvalishvili releases statement following win over Cody Stamann at UFC Vegas 25
Adam Martin - May 2, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili released a statement following his unanimous decision win over Cody Stamann at UFC Vegas 25. Dvalishvili won his sixth straight fight as he improved to 6-2 overall in the UFC with the dominant win over Stamann on the main card of UFC Vegas 25. Dvalishvili utilized his powerful takedowns as he always does, but he also showed improved striking in this matchup as Stamann was at times able to match him in the wrestling department. In the end, Dvalishvili walked away with the win and he emerged as a real player at 135lbs.
Cody Stamann doesn't understand why he's an underdog against Merab Dvalishvili, says he will KO him: "I'm going to put him to sleep"
Cole Shelton - April 28, 2021
Cody Stamann doesn’t understand the hype around Merab Dvalishvili. Stamann and Dvalishvili are set to finally meet at UFC Vegas 25 after being scheduled two times previously. After the fight has fallen apart two times previously, Stamann says he had some reluctance to accept the fight for the third time until Dvalishvili started to train at his gym and some of his training partners told him he would be able to win the fight with ease.
Video | Merab Dvalishvili ends up in hospital after jumping headfirst into frozen pond
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2021
Merab Dvalishvili was out for a casual run and ended up in the hospital. During his run, the 12th-ranked bantamweight contender in Dvalishvili came across a pond. The Georgian native then decided to jump into it thinking it wasn’t frozen, but it turns out it was as he went headfirst into a frozen pond and cut his head on the ice and branches.
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Raoni Barcelos added to UFC Vegas 16
Adam Martin - November 13, 2020
A fantastic matchup between surging bantamweights Merab Dvalishvili and Raoni Barcelos has been added to next month’s UFC Vegas 16 card. MMAFighting.com first reported details of the matchup between Dvalishvili, the No. 12 ranked bantamweight in the UFC, and the unranked Barcelos, who will look to land a top-15 position in the rankings with a win. They will meet on December 5 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. These are two of the hottest fighters currently competing in the UFC’s 135lbs division and the winner of this contest will likely get a top-10 opponent next.
Umar Nurmagomedov receives immediate callout from 'The Machine' after signing with UFC
Harry Kettle - February 28, 2020
Umar Nurmagomedov has been immediately called out by Merab Dvalishvili after it was revealed that he has signed with the UFC. The highly thought of younger cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov has been making waves for a while now, accumulating a 12-0 professional mixed martial arts record prior to his entry into the UFC. The expectations are obviously going to be high regarding what he can accomplish with the promotion, and it doesn’t seem as if the UFC is going to waste any time in booking him.
Merab Dvalishvili will appeal loss to Ricky Simon: I won the fight
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2018
Last weekend, on the undercard of the UFC’s exciting stop in Atlantic City, NJ, Merab Dvalishvili and his short-notice replacement opponent Ricky Simon delivered an exciting, three-round war. Unfortunately, the end of this contest was ridden with controversy. As the bout neared its conclusion, Simon — who seemed to be down two rounds — locked up a mounted guillotine. Though the choke seemed tight, Dvalishvili showed incredible toughness, refusing to tap and frantically flailing his legs in what looked like an effort to show the referee he was still conscious.
John McCarthy gives his take on strange Merab Dvalishvili vs. Ricky Simon fight: "he went out twice"
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2018
On the undercard of Saturday night’s exciting UFC Atlantic City card, Merab Dvalishvili and hist short-notice replacement opponent Rick Simon engaged in an exciting, three-round war. Unfortunately, the end of this contest was shadowed in controversy. As the seconds wore off the clock, Simon, who seemed to be down two rounds, locked up a mounted guillotine. Though the choke looked deep, Dvalishvili showed incredible toughness, refusing to tap and frantically flailing his legs in what looked like an effort to show the referee he was still conscious.