Merab Dvalishvili News

Curtis Calhoun - April 16, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will go to great lengths to get a picture with any of his fans. Merab Dvalishvili is inarguably one of the biggest fan favorites in the UFC. His exciting style inside the Octagon, combined with his colorful personality, has made Dvalishvili a household name when discussing the sport’s biggest stars.

Curtis Calhoun - April 1, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili suffered a brutal nose injury that could indefinitely postpone his Octagon return plans. Merab Dvalishvili suffered a shocking rematch loss to Petr Yan in their UFC 323 bantamweight title rematch in December. After a 14-fight winning streak, Dvalishvili lost to Yan by unanimous decision to bring his bantamweight title reign to an abrupt end.

Curtis Calhoun - March 2, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili believes Arman Tsarukyan wasn’t in the wrong during a viral brawl at RAF 06. Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan’s latest endeavor outside of the Octagon ended in chaos immediately following his Real American Freestyle 06 wrestling match against Georgio Poullas.

Harry Kettle - December 17, 2025

UFC analyst Din Thomas believes Merab Dvalishvili will get the trilogy fight against Petr Yan in his next outing. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili came up short in his attempt to successfully defend the UFC bantamweight championship for the fourth time in 2025. He lost the strap to Petr Yan, who was able to avenge his loss from their first meeting. As you can imagine, Merab is pretty determined to get a trilogy bout against the new champion.

Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025

UFC legend Michael Bisping has given Merab Dvalishvili some advice following his defeat to Petr Yan at UFC 323. Last weekend at UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili fell short in his attempt to go 4-0 in 2025. In doing so, he also lost the UFC bantamweight championship, with the title being won from him by Petr Yan. Now, as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like Merab will be able to get a trilogy fight at some point next year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2025

Aljamain Sterling won’t find too many people who agree with his UFC 323 take. In the UFC 323 main event, Merab Dvalishvili put the UFC Bantamweight Championship on the line against Petr Yan. The bout didn’t go the way many envisioned, as Yan thwarted the grappling of “The Machine.” He was also able to pepper his opponent on the feet on his way to a unanimous decision win.

Curtis Calhoun - December 8, 2025

Coach John Wood issued his first public remarks about what went wrong for dethroned bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC bantamweight title reign came to an abrupt end via a loss to Petr Yan at UFC 323 last Saturday in Las Vegas. In a five-round instant classic, Dvalishvili lost to Yan by unanimous decision as the former titleholder reclaimed the bantamweight belt.

Harry Kettle - December 8, 2025

UFC star Merab Dvalishvili has already made it clear that he is interested in a trilogy fight against rival Petr Yan. Last weekend at UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili lost his UFC bantamweight championship at the hands of Petr Yan. It was an incredible performance from the Russian sensation and ultimately, the judges saw it the same way, as he was able to reclaim the gold – something no fighter in UFC history has ever done after going on a three-fight losing streak.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025

Sean O’Malley reacted to Petr Yan’s stellar performance against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Yan challenged Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship this past Saturday in Las Vegas. It was a chance for Yan to not only reclaim the 135-pound gold, but to also get some revenge after being defeated by “The Machine” back in 2023. Mission accomplished for Yan, who earned the unanimous decision victory to close out his 2025.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025

Dana White had some big praise for Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 323, and he only needed one word to get his point across. Dvalishvili attempted to set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses in a single year on Saturday. “The Machine” wasn’t able to achieve the feat, as he has finally met his match in Petr Yan. Dvalishvili actually had a unanimous decision win over Yan back in 2023, but their rematch played out far differently.

Harry Kettle - December 7, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on Petr Yan defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. In the main event of UFC 323, Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili to become the new UFC bantamweight champion. It was an absolutely incredible performance from the Russian sensation, to the point where on two scorecards, he won by four rounds to one. After years of being away from the title picture, he has finally been able to work his way back to the very top.

Chris Taylor - December 6, 2025

Tonight’s UFC 323 event was headlined by a men’s bantamweight title fight rematch featuring Merab Dvalishvili taking on Petr Yan. Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA) was making a quick turnaround tonight in Las Vegas, this after recently defeating Cory Sandhagen at October’s UFC 320 event. ‘The Machine’ had previously defended the promotion‘s bantamweight world title on three occasions in the 2025 calendar year, this while defeating the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley and the aforementioned ‘Sandman’.

Chris Taylor - December 6, 2025

The Octagon returns to T-Mobile Arena for tonight’s UFC 323 event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2. Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA) will be making a quick turnaround, this after defeating Cory Sandhagen at October’s UFC 320 event. ‘The Machine’ has successfully defended the promotion‘s bantamweight world title on three occasions in 2025, this while defeating Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley and the aforementioned ‘Sandman’.

Dylan Bowker - December 5, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili and Aiemann Zahabi could potentially be on a championship collision course with one another, depending on how the proceedings this weekend play out. But the two men showed tangible mutual respect for one another amid a big fight week for the former. Dvalishvili first has to deal with the imminent challenge of former bantamweight champion Petr Yan as the two run it back for a rematch at UFC 323 on Saturday, December 6th. Zahabi was on the scene for fight week in an analyst role for Sportsnet and spoke with the reigning, defending champion. As far as addressing the notion of whether Zahabi is in the mix for a shot at championship gold as we encroach into the next calendar year, Dvalishvili said,

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2025

One former champion doesn’t think Petr Yan can do much to turn things around against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Yan will get a second chance to get the better of Dvalishvili on Saturday, but the UFC Bantamweight Championship will be at stake this go-around. “The Machine” scored a unanimous decision victory over Yan back in 2023.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2025

The UFC 323 weigh-ins have wrapped up and both title fights are now official. UFC 323 will emanate from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. The main event will see Merab Dvalishvili chase history. If he successfully retains the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Petr Yan, then he will set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses in a single year.

Curtis Calhoun - December 4, 2025

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is eying a fresh, new challenge with a win this Saturday at UFC 323 over Petr Yan. Merab Dvalishvili is aiming to earn his fourth win of 2025 as he prepares to defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Petr Yan this Saturday at UFC 323. Dvalishvili and Yan will clash in a rematch of their 2023 bout, which featured a record-setting performance by the current champion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2025

As UFC 323 draws closer, Petr Yan isn’t mesmerized by Merab Dvalishvili’s activity. Dvalishvili is nearing the record for the most successful title defenses in a single year in UFC history. To break the record, “The Machine” will need to defeat Yan in a rematch on Saturday. Dvalishvili holds a unanimous decision victory over Yan, and he’s hoping to find even better success this go-around.