Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili | |||||||||||||||
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Born | Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union | January 10, 1991||||||||||||||
Other names | The Machine | ||||||||||||||
Nationality |
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Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) | ||||||||||||||
Division | Bantamweight | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 68[2] in (173 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Fighting out of | Long Island, New York, U.S.[3] | ||||||||||||||
Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team (2013–present)[4] | ||||||||||||||
Trainer | Ray Longo and Matt Serra[3] | ||||||||||||||
Rank | Black belt in judo[5] | ||||||||||||||
Years active | 2014–present | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
Total | 21 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 17 | ||||||||||||||
By knockout | 3 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 13 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 4 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Merab Dvalishvili (Georgian: მერაბ დვალიშვილი; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian-American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of February 20, 2024, he is #1 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.[6]
Background[edit]
Dvalishvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR and grew up in an independent Georgia. He started training at a young age, training in qartuli chidaoba (traditional wrestling), khridoli (traditional fighting), sambo and judo for self-defense. He moved to the United States when he was 21 years old to become a professional MMA fighter. Once in America, he began to train under Ray Longo and Matt Serra.[3]
Mixed martial arts career[edit]
Early career[edit]
Dvalishvili started his MMA career in 2014 and fought under various promotions, namely CFFC and the Ring of Combat. He amassed a record of 7–2 prior to competing in the UFC.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship[edit]
Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega.[8] He lost the fight via split decision.[9]
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.[10] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[11] 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.[12]
Dvalishvili faced Terrion Ware on September 15, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik.[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[14]
Dvalishvili faced Brad Katona on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy.[15] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]
Dvalishvili faced Casey Kenney on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.[17] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[18]
Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo.[19] 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.[20] Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.[21]
Dvalishvili faced John Dodson on August 15, 2020, at UFC 252.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]
Dvalishvili was expected to face Cody Stamann on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19.[24] However on October 22, it was announced that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[25] and he was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.[26] However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout on November 7.[27] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was reschedule for UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30][31] On the day of the event, Askar was not medically cleared and the bout was cancelled.[32] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was rescheduled again to May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[33] Dvalishvili won the bout via unanimous decision.[34]
Dvalishvili faced Marlon Moraes on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266.[35] After being knocked down and nearly finished in the first round, Dvalishvili rallied and won the fight via TKO in round two. [36] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[37]
Dvalishvili faced former UFC Featherweight champion José Aldo on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278.[38] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[39]
Dvalishvili faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan on March 11, 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili.[40] He won the fight via unanimous decision. Dvalishvili broke the UFC record for most takedowns attempted in a bout in UFC history with 49 attempts.[41][42]
Davlishvili faced former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[43] In a bout where five takedowns were landed, Davlishvili won by unanimous decision.[44]
Professional grappling career[edit]
In 2019, Dvalishvili finished second in the World Sambo Championships in South Korea. Dvalishvili competed in combat sambo at 68 kilograms. He lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.[45]
Dvalishvili fought in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2 on October 29, 2021, and lost a unanimous decision to Kevin Dantzler.[46]
Dvalishvili competed against Darren Branch in the main event of High Rollerz 23 on January 21, 2023.[47] He won the match by submission, with a choke from kesa-gatame.[48]
Championships and accomplishments[edit]
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Marlon Moraes[37]
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Ricky Simón[11]
- Most unanimous decision wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (8)
- Fourth highest decision-wins-per-win percentage in UFC history (9 decision wins / 10 wins: 90%)
- Second most decision wins in UFC Bantamweight division history (8)[49]
- Tied (Aljamain Sterling) for the longest win streak in UFC Bantamweight division history (9)[49]
- Most takedowns landed in UFC Bantamweight division history (66)[49]
- Third most takedowns landed in UFC history (79)[50]
- Most total strikes landed in UFC Bantamweight division history (1736)[49]
- Second most control time in UFC Bantamweight division history (1:04:02)[49]
- Most takedowns attempted in a bout in UFC history (49) vs. Petr Yan[51]
- Ring of Combat
- ROC Bantamweight Championship (One Time)
- One successful title defense
- ROC Bantamweight Championship (One Time)
Mixed martial arts record[edit]
21 matches | 17 wins | 4 losses |
By knockout | 3 | 0 |
By submission | 1 | 1 |
By decision | 13 | 3 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 17–4 | Henry Cejudo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 298 | February 17, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
Win | 16–4 | Petr Yan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili | March 11, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 15–4 | José Aldo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 278 | August 20, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
Win | 14–4 | Marlon Moraes | TKO (punches) | UFC 266 | September 25, 2021 | 2 | 4:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 13–4 | Cody Stamann | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka | May 1, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 12–4 | John Dodson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 252 | August 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 11–4 | Gustavo Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo | June 13, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
Win | 10–4 | Casey Kenney | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 | February 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 9–4 | Brad Katona | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy | May 4, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
Win | 8–4 | Terrion Ware | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik | September 15, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
Loss | 7–4 | Ricky Simón | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | April 21, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Fight of the Night. |
Loss | 7–3 | Frankie Saenz | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | December 9, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
Win | 7–2 | Raufeon Stots | KO (spinning backfist) | Ring of Combat 59 | June 2, 2017 | 1 | 0:15 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. |
Win | 6–2 | Sukhrob Aydarbekov | Submission (armbar) | Ring of Combat 58 | February 24, 2017 | 2 | 4:14 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the vacant Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. |
Win | 5–2 | Tony Gravely | Decision (split) | Ring of Combat 57 | November 18, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 4–2 | Paul Grant | Decision (unanimous) | Ring of Combat 56 | September 23, 2016 | 3 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
Win | 3–2 | Matt Tullos | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 36 | June 10, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States | Featherweight debut. |
Win | 2–2 | Geoffrey Then | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 34 | April 1, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | |
Loss | 1–2 | Ricky Bandejas | Decision (unanimous) | CFFC 43 | November 1, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 1–1 | Dennis Dombrow | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 49 | September 19, 2014 | 3 | 0:50 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 0–1 | Darren Mima | Decision (majority) | Ring of Combat 47 | January 24, 2014 | 3 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ @merab.dvalishvili (22 March 2024). "So today I did a thing ... as of 3/22/24 I am a citizen of the USA. My heart will always be with my home Georgia ...but I am blessed and grateful to have had the opportunities The United States of America gave me and I will continue to work hard to make both my countries proud ! #everythingispossible" – via Instagram.
- ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ a b c "Merab Dvalishvili brings his country's fighting spirit to ROC 58 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Merab Dvalishvili brings his country’s fighting spirit to ROC 58 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Ariel Helwani (June 2, 2022). Merab Reacts to Aljamain Sterling Potentially Giving Up Bantamweight Title For Him - MMA Fighting – via YouTube.
- ^ "Merab Dvalishvili | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "Merab Dvalishvili | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Merab Dvalishvili | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!.
- ^ "LI's Dvalishvili to debut at UFC Fresno". Newsday.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 123 results: Frankie Saenz outworks Merab Dvalishvili for controversial split decision". MMA Junkie. 10 December 2017.
- ^ Erickson, Matt. "Fighter Ricky Simon wins by TKO after final bell at UFC Fight Night 128". USA TODAY.
- ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 128 bonuses: That wacky Simon-Dvalishvili bout was 'Fight of Night'". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (April 27, 2018). "NJSACB denies Merab Dvalishvili's appeal, upholds UFC Atlantic City win for Ricky Simon". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ Marcel Dorff (16 March 2017). "Cage Fury FC Kampioen Jared Gordon tekent UFC contract MMA DNA" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 136 results: Merab Dvalishvili mauls Terrion Ware, calls for fight with Sean O'Malley". MMA Junkie. 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Winnipeg bantamweight Brad Katona added to UFC Vancouver card - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Pearson, Andrew (4 May 2019). "Merab Dvalishvili Defeats Katona Via Wrestling". MMAmania.com.
- ^ Marcel Dorff (2019-12-19). "Bantamweight clash between Casey Kenney and Merab Dvalishvili for UFC Rio Rancho". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2022-06-20.(in Dutch)
- ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-02-15). "UFC Rio Rancho Results: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Casey Kenney". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Datta, Soumik (2020-06-05). "Ray Borg vs Merab Dvalishvili reportedly set for UFC's June 13 event". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-06-11). "Ray Borg out of UFC on ESPN 10, Dvalisvhili now fights Combate Americas champ Lopez (UPDATE)". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-06-13). "UFC on ESPN 10 Results: Merab Dvalishvili's Pace Too Much for Gustavo Lopez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
- ^ "John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili added to UFC 252 lineup". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-08-15). "UFC 252 Results: Merab Dvalishvili Blankets John Dodson to Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-09-24). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann joins UFC's Dec. 5 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
- ^ Giorgi Kokiashvili (2020-10-22). "The fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Kodi Staman failed". adjarasport.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22. (in Georgian)
- ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-11-13). "Streaking bantamweights Merab Dvalishvili and Raoni Barcelos meet at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ Jay Pettry (2020-11-19). "Raoni Barcelos pulled from Merab Dvalishvili matchup at UFC on ESPN 19". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ Jamal Boussenaf (2021-01-09). "BREAKING: Cody Stamann vs. Merab Dvalishvili nu op 6 februari". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
- ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-01-15). "Merab Dvalishvili out, Andre Ewell pakt short notice partij op 6 februari tegen Cody Stamann". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
- ^ Jay Anderson (2021-02-01). "Andre Ewell out of fight against Cody Stamann at UFC Vegas 18". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ Staff (2021-02-02). "Updates to UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov". ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-02-06). "Askar Askar not medically cleared to compete, fight with Cody Stamann off UFC Vegas 18". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
- ^ Mike Bohn and Farah Hannounn (2021-03-10). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann booked again, this time for UFC Fight Night on May 1". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ "UFC on ESPN 23 results: Merab Dvalishvili outworks Cody Stamann, calls out Dominick Cruz". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-06-15). "Marlon Moraes vs. Merab Dvalishvili toegevoegd aan UFC 266 op 25 september". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-20.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-09-25). "UFC 266 Results: Merab Dvalishvili Survives Near Finish, Finishes Marlon Moraes in Signature Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ a b "UFC 266 bonuses: Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega's classic title fight among winners". MMA Junkie. 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ Damon Martin (2022-06-16). "Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili in the works for UFC 278 in August". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2022-08-20). "UFC 278: Merab Dvalishvili Secures Biggest Win Yet Over Jose Aldo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
- ^ Nolan King (2023-01-17). "Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili headlines UFC Fight Night 221". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 221 post-event facts: Merab Dvalishvili sets takedown attempt record". MMA Junkie. 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ Jay Anderson (2023-03-11). "UFC Las Vegas: Merab Dvalishvili dominates ex-champ Petr Yan in standout performance". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ "Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili booked for UFC 298 in February". MMA Junkie. 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ Dylan Napoleone (2024-02-17). "UFC 298: Merab Dvalishvili Ultimately Too Much for Ex-Champ Henry Cejudo". casesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
- ^ Blaine Henry (October 7, 2020). "Stepan Kobenov: Combat Sambo World Champion". Fight-Library.com.
- ^ "Danielle Kelly Discusses Her MMA Transition After Winning at Fury Pro Grappling 2". 31 October 2021.
- ^ "UFC Veteran Merab Dvalishvili to Star in High Rollerz 23 Main Event". 15 January 2023.
- ^ "High Rollerz 23 Results: UFC Veteran Merab Dvalishvili Impresses". JitsMagazine. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "UFC Records - Bantamweight". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
- ^ "UFC Records - All Fighters". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ "UFC Records - Bantamweight". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Merab". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
External links[edit]
- Living people
- 1991 births
- Sportspeople from Tbilisi
- Male judoka from Georgia (country)
- Male mixed martial artists from Georgia (country)
- Sambo practitioners from Georgia (country)
- Bantamweight mixed martial artists
- Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
- Mixed martial artists utilizing sambo
- Mixed martial artists utilizing judo