Merab Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili in 2018
Born (1991-01-10) January 10, 1991
Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union
Other namesThe Machine
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach68[1] in (173 cm)
Fighting out ofLong Island, New York, U.S.[2]
TeamSerra-Longo Fight Team (2013–present)[3]
TrainerRay Longo and Matt Serra[2]
RankBlack belt in judo[4]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins16
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision12
Losses4
By submission1
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Georgia
Combat Sambo
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2019 Cheongju 68 kg

Merab Dvalishvili (born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of August 22, 2023, he is #2 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.[5]

Background

Dvalishvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR and grew up in an independent Georgia. He started training in qartuli chidaoba (traditional wrestling) and khridoli (traditional fighting), sambo and judo when he was young for self-defense. He moved to the United States when he was 21 years old to become a professional MMA fighter. He trains under Ray Longo and Matt Serra.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Dvalishvili started his MMA career in 2014 and fought under various promotions, namely the Ring of Combat. He amassed a record of 7–2 prior to competing in the UFC.[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega.[7] He lost the fight via split decision.[8]

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.[9] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[10] 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.[11]

Dvalishvili faced Terrion Ware on September 15, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Dvalishvili faced Brad Katona on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy.[14] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Dvalishvili faced Casey Kenney on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.[16] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[17]

Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo.[18] 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.[19] Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.[20]

Dvalishvili faced John Dodson on August 15, 2020, at UFC 252.[21] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[22]

Dvalishvili was expected to face Cody Stamann on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19.[23] However on October 22, it was announced that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[24] and he was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.[25] However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout on November 7.[26] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was reschedule for UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.[27] 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.[28] 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.[29][30] On the day of the event, Askar was not medically cleared and the bout was cancelled.[31] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was re-scheduled again to May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[32] Dvalishvili won the bout via unanimous decision.[33]

Dvalishvili faced Marlon Moraes on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266.[34] After being knocked down and nearly finished in the first round, Dvalishvili rallied and won the fight via TKO in round two. [35] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[36]

Dvalishvili faced former UFC Featherweight champion José Aldo on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278.[37] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[38]

Dvalishvili faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan on March 11, 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili.[39] He won the fight via unanimous decision. Dvalishvili broke the UFC record for most takedowns attempted in a bout in UFC history with 49 attempts.[40][41]

Davlishvili is scheduled to face former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[42]

Professional grappling career

In 2019, Dvalishvili finished second in the World Sambo Championships in South Korea. Dvalishvili competed in combat sambo at 68 kilograms and lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.[43]

Dvalishvili fought in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2 on October 29, 2021, and lost a unanimous decision to Kevin Dantzler.[44]

Dvalishvili competed against Darren Branch in the main event of High Rollerz 23 on January 21, 2023.[45] He won the match by submission, with a choke from kesa-gatame.[46]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
20 matches 16 wins 4 losses
By knockout 3 0
By submission 1 1
By decision 12 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–4 Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili March 11, 2023 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–4 José Aldo Decision (unanimous) UFC 278 August 20, 2022 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 14–4 Marlon Moraes TKO (punches) UFC 266 September 25, 2021 2 4:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–4 Cody Stamann Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka May 1, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–4 John Dodson Decision (unanimous) UFC 252 August 15, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–4 Gustavo Lopez Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo June 13, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 10–4 Casey Kenney Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 February 15, 2020 3 5:00 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Win 9–4 Brad Katona Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy May 4, 2019 3 5:00 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Win 8–4 Terrion Ware Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik September 15, 2018 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Loss 7–4 Ricky Simón Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee April 21, 2018 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 7–3 Frankie Saenz Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega December 9, 2017 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States
Win 7–2 Raufeon Stots KO (spinning backfist) Ring of Combat 59 June 2, 2017 1 0:15 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 6–2 Sukhrob Aydarbekov Submission (armbar) Ring of Combat 58 February 24, 2017 2 N/A Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the vacant Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 5–2 Tony Gravely Decision (split) Ring of Combat 57 November 18, 2016 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4–2 Paul Grant Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 56 September 23, 2016 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 3–2 Matt Tullos Decision (unanimous) CES MMA 36 June 10, 2016 3 5:00 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 2–2 Geoffrey Then Decision (unanimous) CES MMA 34 April 1, 2016 3 5:00 Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Loss 1–2 Ricky Bandejas Decision (unanimous) CFFC 43 November 1, 2014 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 1–1 Dennis Dombrow TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 49 September 19, 2014 3 0:50 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 0–1 Darren Mima Decision (majority) Ring of Combat 47 January 24, 2014 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bantamweight debut.

[50]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  2. 1 2 3 "Merab Dvalishvili brings his country's fighting spirit to ROC 58 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Merab Dvalishvili brings his country’s fighting spirit to ROC 58 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  3. ↑ Ariel Helwani (June 2, 2022). Merab Reacts to Aljamain Sterling Potentially Giving Up Bantamweight Title For Him - MMA Fighting – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ "Merab Dvalishvili | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. ↑ "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  6. ↑ "Merab Dvalishvili | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Merab Dvalishvili | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!.
  7. ↑ "LI's Dvalishvili to debut at UFC Fresno". Newsday.
  8. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 123 results: Frankie Saenz outworks Merab Dvalishvili for controversial split decision". MMA Junkie. 10 December 2017.
  9. ↑ Erickson, Matt. "Fighter Ricky Simon wins by TKO after final bell at UFC Fight Night 128". USA TODAY.
  10. 1 2 "UFC Fight Night 128 bonuses: That wacky Simon-Dvalishvili bout was 'Fight of Night'". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  11. ↑ Steven Marrocco (April 27, 2018). "NJSACB denies Merab Dvalishvili's appeal, upholds UFC Atlantic City win for Ricky Simon". MMAjunkie.com.
  12. ↑ Marcel Dorff (16 March 2017). "Cage Fury FC Kampioen Jared Gordon tekent UFC contract MMA DNA" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  13. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 136 results: Merab Dvalishvili mauls Terrion Ware, calls for fight with Sean O'Malley". MMA Junkie. 15 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "Winnipeg bantamweight Brad Katona added to UFC Vancouver card - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  15. ↑ Pearson, Andrew (4 May 2019). "Merab Dvalishvili Defeats Katona Via Wrestling". MMAmania.com.
  16. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2019-12-19). "Bantamweight clash between Casey Kenney and Merab Dvalishvili for UFC Rio Rancho". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2022-06-20.(in Dutch)
  17. ↑ Evanoff, Josh (2020-02-15). "UFC Rio Rancho Results: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Casey Kenney". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  18. ↑ Datta, Soumik (2020-06-05). "Ray Borg vs Merab Dvalishvili reportedly set for UFC's June 13 event". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  19. ↑ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-06-11). "Ray Borg out of UFC on ESPN 10, Dvalisvhili now fights Combate Americas champ Lopez (UPDATE)". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  20. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (2020-06-13). "UFC on ESPN 10 Results: Merab Dvalishvili's Pace Too Much for Gustavo Lopez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  21. ↑ "John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili added to UFC 252 lineup". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  22. ↑ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-08-15). "UFC 252 Results: Merab Dvalishvili Blankets John Dodson to Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  23. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2020-09-24). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann joins UFC's Dec. 5 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  24. ↑ Giorgi Kokiashvili (2020-10-22). "The fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Kodi Staman failed". adjarasport.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22. (in Georgian)
  25. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2020-11-13). "Streaking bantamweights Merab Dvalishvili and Raoni Barcelos meet at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  26. ↑ Jay Pettry (2020-11-19). "Raoni Barcelos pulled from Merab Dvalishvili matchup at UFC on ESPN 19". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  27. ↑ Jamal Boussenaf (2021-01-09). "BREAKING: Cody Stamann vs. Merab Dvalishvili nu op 6 februari". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  28. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2021-01-15). "Merab Dvalishvili out, Andre Ewell pakt short notice partij op 6 februari tegen Cody Stamann". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  29. ↑ Jay Anderson (2021-02-01). "Andre Ewell out of fight against Cody Stamann at UFC Vegas 18". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  30. ↑ Staff (2021-02-02). "Updates to UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov". ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  31. ↑ Alexander K. Lee (2021-02-06). "Askar Askar not medically cleared to compete, fight with Cody Stamann off UFC Vegas 18". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  32. ↑ Mike Bohn and Farah Hannounn (2021-03-10). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann booked again, this time for UFC Fight Night on May 1". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  33. ↑ "UFC on ESPN 23 results: Merab Dvalishvili outworks Cody Stamann, calls out Dominick Cruz". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  34. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2021-06-15). "Marlon Moraes vs. Merab Dvalishvili toegevoegd aan UFC 266 op 25 september". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  35. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2021-09-25). "UFC 266 Results: Merab Dvalishvili Survives Near Finish, Finishes Marlon Moraes in Signature Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  36. 1 2 "UFC 266 bonuses: Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega's classic title fight among winners". MMA Junkie. 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  37. ↑ Damon Martin (2022-06-16). "Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili in the works for UFC 278 in August". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  38. ↑ Dewar, Val (2022-08-20). "UFC 278: Merab Dvalishvili Secures Biggest Win Yet Over Jose Aldo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  39. ↑ Nolan King (2023-01-17). "Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili headlines UFC Fight Night 221". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  40. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 221 post-event facts: Merab Dvalishvili sets takedown attempt record". MMA Junkie. 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  41. ↑ Jay Anderson (2023-03-11). "UFC Las Vegas: Merab Dvalishvili dominates ex-champ Petr Yan in standout performance". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  42. ↑ "Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili booked for UFC 298 in February". MMA Junkie. 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  43. ↑ Blaine Henry (October 7, 2020). "Stepan Kobenov: Combat Sambo World Champion". Fight-Library.com.
  44. ↑ "Danielle Kelly Discusses Her MMA Transition After Winning at Fury Pro Grappling 2". 31 October 2021.
  45. ↑ "UFC Veteran Merab Dvalishvili to Star in High Rollerz 23 Main Event". 15 January 2023.
  46. ↑ "High Rollerz 23 Results: UFC Veteran Merab Dvalishvili Impresses". JitsMagazine. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  47. 1 2 3 "UFC Records - Bantamweight". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  48. ↑ "UFC Records - All Fighters". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  49. ↑ "UFC Records - Bantamweight". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  50. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Merab". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
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