Merab Dvalishvili News
Henry Cejudo suggests Merab Dvalishvili be on standby in case Aljamain Sterling backs out of UFC 288 title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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 Jr. - 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.
Dana White discusses Merab Dvalishvili refusing to fight teammate Aljamain Sterling: “It would be a really bad idea for Merab to go down that path”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2023
UFC President Dana White doesn’t like the idea of Merab Dvalishvili skipping a UFC Bantamweight Championship opportunity for his close friend Aljamain Sterling. Dvalishvili is coming off a one-sided five-round affair against Petr Yan this past Saturday. As UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier mentioned, in any other fight, a performance such as the one Dvalishvili had against Yan, winning via unanimous decision, would have everyone clamoring for him to get a title opportunity. The problem is, Dvalishvili and Sterling have vowed never to fight one another.
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: '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.
UFC Las Vegas: 'Yan vs. Dvalishvili' Weigh-in Results
Cole Shelton - March 10, 2023
The UFC is at The Theater at Virgin Hotels on Saturday, March 11 for UFC Las Vegas. In the main event of UFC Las Vegas, former bantamweight champ Petr Yan looks to snap his two-fight losing skid as he takes on the streaking Merab Dvalishvili.
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.
Petr Yan believes Merab Dvalishvili's style poses little danger in bantamweight main event: "I hold all the keys to victory"
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2023
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan doesn’t believe he’s in much danger this Saturday. ‘No Mercy’ has been out of the octagon since his clash with Sean O’Malley last October. At UFC 280, the bantamweights put on a show for 15 minutes, but many felt the Russian did much of the better work. Nonetheless, Yan lost his second straight bout by split decision.
Merab Dvalishvili discusses previous run-in with Petr Yan in Abu Dhabi: "He should be more humble"
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2023
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili seemingly has bad blood with Petr Yan. ‘The Machine’ has been out of the octagon since his clash with Jose Aldo last August at UFC 278. Heading into the contest, the Brazilian was hoping to earn one final title shot, but those plans were blown up. Dvalishvili wound up winning by unanimous decision, the biggest victory of his career to date.
Actor Kevin James details "scary" sparring with Merab Dvalishvili: "He starts lighting me up like a Christmas tree"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2023
Kevin James had an interesting sparring session with UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. James, who has acted in shows like The King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond while also being in movies like Paul Blart Mall Cop, Grown Ups, and Here Comes The Boom, was training in a gym when Dvalishvili started to work with him. James says he tagged in, when everyone in the gym knew he was an actor but Dvalishvili just assumed James was a heavyweight fighter.
Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili set to headline UFC Fight Night event on March 11
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are set to meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night on March 11, Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The bantamweight division is as stacked as it has ever been. From the top 15 to the rising prospects, there’s a whole lot to like at 135 pounds. In terms of the elite, however, there are a few contenders that stand out above the rest.
Merab Dvalishvili responds to fans critical of his win over Jose Aldo at UFC 278: “It’s his job to move and do something”
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2022
Merab Dvalishvili thinks Jose Aldo is also to blame for their UFC 278 fight not being fan-friendly. Dvalishvili won a lackluster decision over Aldo in Salt Lake City, Utah in a fight that was primarily Dvalishvili pushing Aldo up against the Octagon. It was a disappointing fight that even Dana White ripped Dvalishvili for his performance.
Merab Dvalishvili reveals Jose Aldo told him he was retiring after UFC 278: "He said, ‘That means this is my last fight"
Josh Evanoff - August 22, 2022
Merab Dvalishvili has revealed that former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo might be done. The two bantamweights faced off last Saturday night at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The bout was a pivotal matchup in the 135-pound division, as both men were in title contention.
What's next for the stars of UFC 278?
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2022
The Octagon headed to Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday for a solid UFC 278 card, which saw the welterweight title on the line in the main event. In the main event, Kamaru Usman was looking to defend his belt and tie Anderson Silva’s record of starting out a UFC career 16-0 as he rematched Leon Edwards. In the co-main event, Paulo Costa took on Luke Rockhold while Merab Dvalishvili fought Jose Aldo on the main card.
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 Jr. - 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.
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.