Merab Dvalishvili is the bantamweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as of May 2025. He has been a professional mixed martial artist since 2014 and has fought in multiple professional mixed martial arts promotions before making his way into the UFC. Merab Dvalishvili is an experienced fighter and has been a part of 23 professional mixed martial arts bouts since his debut.
Merab Dvalishvili made his professional debut on January 24, 2014, in a professional mixed martial arts promotion at Ring of Combat 47 against Darren Mima. Merab endured the three rounds of the fight but ended up coming up short as Mima defeated him via a majority decision. Dvalishvili recovered from his loss in his next bout and defeated Dennis Dombrow to register his first professional win by a third-round TKO. Initially, Merab Dvalishvili struggled to find his footing in his professional career, as a result of which he lost his second fight in his third professional outing against Ricky Bandejas at CFFC 43 by a unanimous decision. He ultimately gained momentum and piled up six straight victories to his credit, clearing his way towards the UFC.
Merab Dvalishvili's next fight-opponent, date, location
Merab Dvalishvili is scheduled to rematch Sean O'Malley on June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, United States. The UFC bantamweight championship bout will be featured as the main event of UFC 316. Moreover, the fight will mark Dvalishvili's second title defense as a bantamweight champion, after winning the gold in September 2024.
| Stats | Merab Dvalishvili | Sean O'Malley |
| MMA Record | 19-4-0 | 18-2-0 (1NC) |
| UFC Ranking (Bantamweight) | Champion | 1 |
| Last Fight | Win | Loss |
| Nationality | Georgian | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg) | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Age | 34 | 30 |
| Reach | 68 in | 72 in |
| Striking Accuracy | 42% | 61% |
| Takedown Accuracy | 35% | 42% |
| Takedown Defense | 82% | 61% |
| Win Streak (Active) | 12 | 0 |
| MMA Debut | 2014 | 2015 |
Merab Dvalishvili's last fight
In his most recent showdown, Merab Dvalishvili locked horns with Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 at the Intuit Arena in California on January 18, 2025. Dvalishvili won the five-rounder via a unanimous decision by the judges' scorecard and retained his bantamweight title.
Also Read: Where was Merab Dvalishvili born?
FAQs on Merab Dvalishvili
A. He has a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 4 losses as of May 2025.
A. Merab Dvalishvili will face Sean O'Malley in his upcoming fight.
A. The duo will fight on June 7, 2025.
A. He has a professional MMA record of 18 wins, 2 losses, and one no-contest as of May 2025.
A. He made his professional debut on January 24, 2014.
