| Merab Dvalishvili | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Dvalishvili in 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1991-01-10)January 10, 1991 (age 34) Vani,Imereti,Georgian SSR, Soviet Union[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Native name | მერაბ დვალიშვილი | ||||||||||||||
| Other names | The Machine | ||||||||||||||
| Nationality | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| Division | Bantamweight (2014–present) Featherweight (2016) | ||||||||||||||
| Reach | 68[3] in (173 cm) | ||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Long Island,New York, U.S.[4] | ||||||||||||||
| Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team (2013–present)[5] | ||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Ray Longo andMatt Serra[4] | ||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black belt inJudo[6] Purple belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu underMatt Serra[7] | ||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2014–present | ||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 25 | ||||||||||||||
| Wins | 21 | ||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| By submission | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| By decision | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| Losses | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Merab Dvalishvili (Georgian:მერაბ დვალიშვილი[ˈmerabˈdʷaliʃʷili]; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian and American professionalmixed martial artist. He currently competes in thebantamweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the currentUFC Bantamweight Champion. Dvalishvili is considered as one of the greatest Bantamweights of all time.[8][9][10][11] He is also the first Georgian-born champion in UFC history.[12] As of July 1, 2025, he is #3 in theUFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[13]
Dvalishvili's UFC career began with two losses againstFrankie Saenz andRicky Simón.[14] Since then, he has been on a 14-fight win streak—the fourth longest in UFC history[15]—defeating former champions, includingJosé Aldo,Petr Yan,Henry Cejudo andSean O'Malley.[16]
Dvalishvili was born inVani, a small village inSoviet Georgia and grew up in an independentGeorgia. He moved toTbilisi, the capital, age nine.[1] He started training at a young age, training inkartuli ch'idaoba (ქართული ჭიდაობა; traditional Georgian wrestling),khridoli (ხრიდოლი; traditional Georgian fighting),sambo, andjudo 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 underRay Longo andMatt Serra.[4]
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 theUFC.[17]
On June 2, 2017, Dvalishvili's matchup against fellow prospectRaufeon Stots was showcased on an episode of 'Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight'. He won this contest viaspinning backfist KO 15 seconds into the first round and was subsequently awarded a contract by UFC PresidentDana White.[18]
Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, againstFrankie Saenz atUFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega.[19] He lost the fight via split decision.[20] 10 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Dvalishvili.[21]
His next fight came on April 21, 2018, atUFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee againstRicky Simón. He lost the fight via technical submission at the final bell.[22] This fight earned him theFight of the Night award.[23] 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.[24]
Dvalishvili facedTerrion Ware on September 15, 2018, atUFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]
Dvalishvili facedBrad Katona on May 4, 2019, atUFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]
Dvalishvili facedCasey Kenney on February 15, 2020, atUFC Fight Night 167.[29] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[30]
Dvalishvili was scheduled to faceRay Borg on June 13, 2020, atUFC 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 newcomerGustavo Lopez in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds.[31] Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.[32]
Dvalishvili facedJohn Dodson on August 15, 2020, atUFC 252.[33] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[34]
Dvalishvili was expected to faceCody Stamann on December 5, 2020, atUFC on ESPN 19.[35] However, on October 22, it was announced that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[36] and he was replaced byRaoni Barcelos.[37] However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout onNovember 7.[38] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled forUFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.[39] 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 byAndre Ewell.[40] After apositive 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.[41][42] On the day of the event, Askar was not medically cleared and the bout was canceled.[43] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled again to May 1, 2021, atUFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[44] Dvalishvili won the bout via unanimous decision.[45]
Dvalishvili facedMarlon Moraes on September 25, 2021, atUFC 266.[46] After being knocked down and nearly finished in the first round, Dvalishvili rallied and won the fight via TKO in round two.[47] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night award.[48]
Dvalishvili faced formerUFC Featherweight championJosé Aldo on August 20, 2022, atUFC 278.[49] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[50]
Dvalishvili faced formerUFC Bantamweight championPetr Yan on March 11, 2023, atUFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili.[51] He won the fight via unanimous decision. Dvalishvili broke the UFC record for mosttakedowns attempted in a single bout with 49 attempts.[52][53]
Dvalishvili faced formerUFC Flyweight andBantamweight championHenry Cejudo on February 17, 2024, atUFC 298.[54] In a bout where five takedowns were landed, Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.[55]
Dvalishvili facedSean O'Malley for theUFC Bantamweight Championship on September 14, 2024 atUFC 306.[56] He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.[57]
Dvalishvili made his first title defense against undefeated contenderUmar Nurmagomedov on January 18, 2025 atUFC 311.[58] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[59] This fight earned him anotherFight of the Night award.[60] Dvalishvili broke the record for most takedowns landed in UFC history with 92.[61]
Dvalishvili made his second title defense against formerUFC Bantamweight championSean O'Malley in a rematch on June 7, 2025 atUFC 316.[62] He won the fight via anorth-south choke submission at the end of the third round.[63] This fight earned him anotherPerformance of the Night award.[64]
Dvalishvili made his third title defense against former interim title challengerCory Sandhagen on October 4, 2025 atUFC 320.[65] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[66]
For his fourth title defense, Dvalishvili is expected to rematch former championPetr Yan atUFC 323 on December 6, 2025.[67] With a win, Dvalishvili would become the first UFC champion in history to defend a title four times in the same calendar year.[67]
Dvalishvili is known for having exceptionalcardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. This enables him to compete at a high-pace and attempt a large amount oftakedowns 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 117 landed during his time in the promotion.[68]
Dvalishvili often utilises attacks in theclinch, 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 againstHenry Cejudo in 2024, Dvalishvili became known for showboating during fights; Some examples of this include talking toMark Zuckerberg while grappling with Cejudo,[69] kissingSean O'Malley on the head near the end of a round,[70] and tauntingUmar Nurmagomedov after a successful takedown near the end of their fight.[71]
Dvalishvili became anaturalized American citizen in March of 2024.[72] Prior to becoming a full-time fighter, he worked in construction.[73]
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.[74]
Dvalishvili has a close friendship with fellow UFC fighter and Serra-Longo teammate,Aljamain Sterling.[75]
In 2019, Dvalishvili won a silver medal at theWorld Sambo Championships inSouth Korea, competing in the –68 kg weight class. He lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.[76]
Dvalishvili fought in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2 on October 29, 2021, and lost a unanimous decision to Kevin Dantzler.[77]
Dvalishvili competed against Darren Branch in the main event of High Rollerz 23 on January 21, 2023.[78] He won the match by submission, with a choke fromKesa-gatame.[79]
In June 2024, Dvalishvili won a gold medal competing in the –64 kg weight class at the U.S. National Combat Sambo Tournament inDenton, Texas.[80][81]
| 25 matches | 21 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 0 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 16 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 21–4 | Cory Sandhagen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 320 | October 4, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Tied the record for the most consecutive UFC Bantamweight title defenses (3). |
| Win | 20–4 | Sean O'Malley | Submission (north-south choke) | UFC 316 | June 7, 2025 | 3 | 4:42 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 19–4 | Umar Nurmagomedov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 311 | January 18, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 18–4 | Sean O'Malley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 306 | September 14, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won theUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–4 | Henry Cejudo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 298 | February 17, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| 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 ROC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Sukhrob Aydarbekov | Submission (armbar) | Ring of Combat 58 | February 24, 2017 | 2 | 4:14 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the vacant ROC 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) | Cage Fury FC 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. |
| No | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 306 | O'Malley vs.Dvalishvili | September 14, 2024 | Sphere | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Not Disclosed[94] |
| 2. | UFC 316 | Dvalishvili vs.O'Malley 2 | June 7, 2025 | Prudential Center | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Not Disclosed[95] |
| Achievements | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 11thUFC Bantamweight Champion September 14, 2024 – present | Incumbent | ||
| Awards | ||||
| Preceded by | Best MMA Fighter ESPY Award 2025 | Incumbent | ||
| UFC records | ||||
| Preceded by | Most takedowns landed January 18, 2025 – present 97 | Incumbent | ||
| Men's |
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| Women's |
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Updated to 14 October 2025 |
Updated to 21 October 2025 |
