Merab Dvalishvili

Ultimate Fighting Championship Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega. He lost the fight via split decision. 10 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Dvalishvili.

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. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. 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.

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

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

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

Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13, 2020, at UFC 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 newcomer Gustavo Lopez in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds. Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.

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

Dvalishvili was expected to face Cody Stamann on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19. However, on October 22, it was announced that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by Raoni Barcelos. However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout on November 7. The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021. 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. 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. On the day of the event, Askar was not medically cleared and the bout was canceled. The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled again to May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka. Dvalishvili won the bout via unanimous decision.

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

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

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

Dvalishvili faced former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298. In a bout where five takedowns were landed, Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.

UFC Bantamweight Championship Dvalishvili faced Sean O'Malley for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on September 14, 2024, at UFC 306. He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.

Dvalishvili made his first title defense against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov on January 18, 2025, at UFC 311. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award. Dvalishvili broke the record for most takedowns landed in UFC history with 92.

Dvalishvili made his second title defense against former UFC Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley in a rematch on June 7, 2025, at UFC 316. He won the fight via a north-south choke submission at the end of the third round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Dvalishvili made his third title defense against former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen on October 4, 2025, at UFC 320. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

For his fourth title defense, Dvalishvili rematched former champion Petr Yan at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025. With a win, Dvalishvili would become the first UFC champion in history to defend a title four times in the same calendar year. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

Dvalishvili is scheduled to face Yan in a trilogy bout for the championship on October 24, 2026 at UFC 333.

Fighting style Dvalishvili is known for having exceptional cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. This enables him to compete at a high-pace and attempt a large amount of takedowns 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.

Dvalishvili often utilises attacks in the clinch, 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 against Henry Cejudo in 2024, Dvalishvili became known for showboating during fights; Some examples of this include talking to Mark Zuckerberg while grappling with Cejudo, kissing Sean O'Malley on the head near the end of a round, and taunting Umar Nurmagomedov after a successful takedown near the end of their fight.

Personal life Dvalishvili became a naturalized American citizen in March of 2024. Prior to becoming a full-time fighter, he worked in construction.

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.

Dvalishvili has a close friendship with fellow UFC fighter and Serra-Longo teammate, Aljamain Sterling.

Professional grappling career

In 2019, Dvalishvili won a silver medal at the World Sambo Championships in South Korea, competing in the 68 kg weight class. He lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.

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

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

In June 2024, Dvalishvili won a gold medal competing in the 64 kg weight class at the U.S. National Combat Sambo Tournament in Denton, Texas.

Freestyle wrestling career

Dvalishvili was scheduled to debut for Real American Freestyle at RAF 08 on April 18, 2026, headlining against Henry Cejudo. However, Cejudo pulled out due to injury and the match was postponed.

He defeated Frankie Edgar on the undercard of RAF 09 on May 30, 2026. This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.

Dvalishvili headlined RAF Georgia against Henry Cejudo on July 11, 2026. He won the match by decision. This fight earned him a Match of the Night award.

Dvalishvili is scheduled to face Cejudo in a rematch for the inaugural RAF Lightweight Crossover Championship on August 22, 2026 at RAF 12.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed Martial Arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Bantamweight Championship (One time, former) Three successful title defenses Tied (Aljamain Sterling) for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC Bantamweight division history (3) Tied (Dominick Cruz, Renan Barão & Aljamain Sterling) for second most UFC Bantamweight title fight wins (4) Most unanimous decision wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (11) Most decision wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (11) Longest win streak in UFC Bantamweight division history (13) Fourth longest win streak in UFC history (14) First and only fighter to have over 100 takedowns in UFC history Most takedowns landed in UFC Bantamweight division history (106) Second most takedowns attempted in a bout in UFC history (37) Third most total strikes landed in UFC history (2782) Most total leg strikes landed in a UFC Bantamweight match (95) 2025: President's Choice Fight of the Year Nominee & Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2024: Ranked #6 Fighter of the Year Ring of Combat ROC Bantamweight Championship (one time) One successful title defense ESPY Awards 2025 Best MMA Fighter ESPY Award ESPN 2025 Men's Fighter of the Year MMA Junkie 2025 Male Fighter of the Year The Wrightway Sports Network 2025 Male Fighter of the Year MMA Fighting 2024 First Team MMA All-Star 2025 #4 Ranked Fighter of the Year 2025 #5 Ranked Fight of the Year 2025 First Team MMA All-Star MMA Mania 2025 Fighter of the Year 2025 #3 Ranked Fight of the Year 2025 #3 Ranked Submission of the Year LowKick MMA 2025 Fighter of the Year Cageside Press 2025 Male Fighter of the Year Fight Matrix 2025 Male Fighter of the Year 2025 Most Noteworthy Match of the Year

Freestyle Wrestling Real American Freestyle Match of the Night (One time)

Freestyle wrestling record

Pay-per-view bouts