Merab Dvalishvili

BIOGRAPHY

Merab Dvalishvili, born on January 10, 1991 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, is not just a Georgian, but also a well-known figure in the realm of professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). As of now, he competes in the bantamweight division in the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), holding the honored ranking of #2 as of August 22, 2023.

Growing up within the firm clutches of an independent Georgia, Dvalishvili spent his formative years training in a diverse mixture of martial arts techniques, fusing the regional favorites of qartuli chidaoba, khridoli, sambo, and judo into his unique fighting style. These training sessions, which began when he was a young boy, were not just for style and entertainment; they played a vital role in his self-defense techniques.

Dvalishvili’s courageous move to the United States happened when he was just 21, seeking to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional MMA fighter. His training then took a more focused turn under the careful mentorship of Ray Longo and Matt Serra, two reputed figures in MMA training.

2014 marks the beginning of Dvalishvili’s professional MMA career, which initially consisted of fighting under various promotions, with a prominent name being the Ring of Combat. Proving his prowess as a new entrant, he managed to secure a commendable record of 7 wins and 2 loses prior to entering the UFC.

UFC welcomed Dvalishvili to their arena on December 9, 2017, when he made his debut against Frankie Saenz at the UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega. Despite an initial uphill battle that resulted in a loss via split decision, Dvalishvili never let his spirits wane. A subsequent fight in 2018 against Ricky Simón underlined this point as the match earned him the prestigious ‘Fight of the Night’ award, despite ending in a loss via technical submission at the final bell.

Determined to overturn his initial setbacks, Dvalishvili rebounded with three victorious fights against Terrion Ware, Brad Katona, and Casey Kenney. The year 2020 saw him encountering a slight adjustment in his scheduled fight against Ray Borg, when he instead faced promotional newcomer Gustavo Lopez, a change that still resulted in a unanimous victory for Dvalishvili.

Several fights and victories later, Dvalishvili triumphed against former UFC Featherweight champion José Aldo in the UFC 278 on August 20, 2022. A seminal moment in his UFC career followed this victory, where he faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan and won a unanimous decision. This fight also saw Dvalishvili breaking UFC records, attempting the most takedowns in a bout in UFC history, with 49 attempts.

Away from the UFC, Dvalishvili showcased his fighting skills on numerous other platforms as well, earning second place in the World Sambo Championships in South Korea in 2019 and participating in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 2, among other noteworthy engagements.

As of now, Dvalishvili is preparing to face the former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298. No matter the result, Dvalishvili, with his ever-growing skillset and determination, stands firm as an MMA fighter worthy of recognition.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Merab Dvalishvili Record?
As of the latest stats, UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili holds a record of 16 wins and 4 losses with no draws.

Merab Dvalishvili Next Fight?
As of now, there is no scheduled next fight for Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili.

Merab Dvalishvili Height?
UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches.

Merab Dvalishvili Vs Petr Yan?
As a UFC journalist, I would describe the 'Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan' fight as a clash of great talents, marked by hard-hitting moments as displayed in the highlights on YouTube.

Merab Dvalishvili Ranking?
As of August 22, 2023, Merab Dvalishvili is ranked #2 in the UFC Bantamweight division.

Merab Dvalishvili Tapology?
Merab Dvalishvili, also known as "The Machine", is a professional MMA fighter featured on the Tapology platform.

Merab Dvalishvili Ufc?
Merab Dvalishvili is a professional UFC fighter hailing from Georgia, known for his aggressive style and stamina.

Merab Dvalishvili Injury?
UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili is currently in recovery following a successful surgery for an undisclosed injury.