1. Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian and American professional mixed martial artist.
33 Facts About Merab Dvalishvili
1. 2.
Merab Dvalishvili currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion.
3.
Merab Dvalishvili was born in Tbilisi in Soviet Georgia and grew up in an independent Georgia.
4.
Merab Dvalishvili started training at a young age, training in qartuli chidaoba, khridoli, sambo, and judo for self-defense.
5.
Merab Dvalishvili moved to the United States when he was 21 years old to become a professional MMA fighter.
6.
Merab Dvalishvili won this contest via spinning backfist KO 15 seconds into the first round and was awarded a contract by UFC President Dana White.
7.
Merab Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9,2017, against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs Ortega.
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Merab Dvalishvili's next fight came on April 21,2018, at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Lee against Ricky Simon.
9.
Merab Dvalishvili lost the fight via technical submission at the final bell.
10.
Merab 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.
11.
Merab Dvalishvili faced Terrion Ware on September 15,2018, at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs Oleinik.
12.
Merab Dvalishvili faced Brad Katona on May 4,2019, at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs Cowboy.
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Merab Dvalishvili faced Casey Kenney on February 15,2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.
14.
Merab Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13,2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs Calvillo.
15.
Merab Dvalishvili faced John Dodson on August 15,2020, at UFC 252.
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Merab Dvalishvili was expected to face Cody Stamann on December 5,2020, at UFC on ESPN 19.
17.
Merab Dvalishvili faced Marlon Moraes on September 25,2021, at UFC 266.
18.
Merab Dvalishvili faced former UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo on August 20,2022, at UFC 278.
19.
Merab Dvalishvili faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan on March 11,2023, at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili.
20.
Merab Dvalishvili, breaking the UFC record for most takedowns attempted in a single bout with 49 attempts.
21.
Merab Dvalishvili faced former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo on February 17,2024, at UFC 298.
22.
Merab Dvalishvili faced Sean O'Malley for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on September 14,2024 at UFC 306.
23.
Merab Dvalishvili won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.
24.
Merab Dvalishvili made his first title defense against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov on January 18,2025 at UFC 311.
25.
Merab Dvalishvili was scheduled to make his second title defense against Sean O'Malley in a rematch on June 7,2025 at UFC 316.
26.
Merab Dvalishvili is known for having exceptional cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance.
27.
Merab Dvalishvili holds the record for most total takedowns in UFC history, with 92 landed during his time in the promotion.
28.
Merab 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.
29.
In 2019, Merab Dvalishvili finished second in the World Sambo Championships in South Korea.
30.
Merab Dvalishvili lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.
31.
Merab Dvalishvili fought in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2 on October 29,2021, and lost a unanimous decision to Kevin Dantzler.
32.
Merab Dvalishvili competed against Darren Branch in the main event of High Rollerz 23 on January 21,2023.
33.
Merab Dvalishvili won the match by submission, with a choke from Kesa-gatame.