Merab Dvalishvili News

Fernando Quiles - 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.

Fernando Quiles - 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.

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.

Chris Taylor - March 11, 2023

Tonight’s UFC Las Vegas event is headlined by a key bantamweight matchup featuring Petr Yan taking on 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.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - March 9, 2023

In the main event of UFC Las Vegas, Petr Yan is looking to snap his two-fight losing skid as he takes on Merab Dvalishvili. Heading into the fight, Yan is a -290 favorite while the Georgian is a +215 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Yan getting it done, and possibly by stoppage.

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.

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.

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.

Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2022

Brendan Schaub believes the UFC could’ve better handled Jose Aldo’s retirement. ‘The King of Rio’ called it quits earlier this week, after an incredible career. The Brazilian captured titles in the WEC and UFC and is a multiple-time featherweight champion. Since 2019, Aldo has been competing in the bantamweight division.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - June 1, 2022

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has suggested he will move up in weight if Merab Dvalishvili wins his next fight. For many years now, Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili have been close friends and training partners – despite the fact they’re both members of the division’s elite top 15. At this moment in time Dvalishvili is a rising contender whereas Sterling is the undisputed champion after seeing off the challenge of Petr Yan in their rematch earlier this year.