ABOUT MERAB

Merab Dvalishvili (Georgian: მერაბ დვალიშვილი ; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian and American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. Dvalishvili is considered as one of the greatest Bantamweights of all time. He is also the first Georgian-born champion in UFC history. As of July 2025, he is top 3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Dvalishvili's UFC career began with two losses, Since then, he has been on a 14-fight win streak—the fourth longest in UFC history - defeating 4 former champions, including José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Sean O'Malley. His 117 successful takedowns are the most in UFC history.

Merab Dvalishvili
Merab defeats Cory Sandhangen by Unanimous Decision

UFC 323

December 6, 2025

UFC 320

October 4, 2025

Merab defeats Sean O'Malley by Submission

UFC 316

Merab defeats Umar Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision

June 7, 2025

UFC 311

January 11, 2025

UFC 306

September 14, 2024

Mixed martial arts fighters in a UFC match, one fighter delivering a punch to the other inside the octagon cage
Two mixed martial arts fighters in octagon, one lifting the other in a wrestling move, with the background showing a cage and advertising banners.
Two male mixed martial artists fighting on the mat, one on top of the other, during a match.
Two mixed martial arts fighters in a cage; one delivering a punch to the face of the other, who is covering his face in defense.
Two mixed martial arts fighters in the octagon, with one lifting the other upside down during a match, and a referee observing nearby.
Two male mixed martial artists fighting inside an octagon cage, one delivering a punch to the other's face.
Two mixed martial arts fighters in UFC fight, one delivering a punch to the other's face inside the octagon with a referee watching in the background.
Two male mixed martial arts fighters compete inside the octagon; one fighter is on top, pinning the other down with a dominant position.
UFC fighters in a cage match, one throwing a punch at the other.
Two male mixed martial artists in a UFC fight, one throwing a punch at the other inside an octagon cage.

RECORDS & Accolades

Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili Logo

  • 2025 ESPY Fighter of the Year

  • 2x UFC Performance of the Night Award

  • 3x UFC Fight of the Night Award

  • Most total strikes landed in UFC Bantamweight division history (2672)

  • Most takedowns in UFC History (119) & Bantamweight Division (106)

  • Most takedowns attempted in a bout in UFC history (49)

  • Most total body strikes landed in a UFC Bantamweight fight (127)

  • Most total leg strikes landed in a UFC Bantamweight match (95)

  • Most control time in UFC Bantamweight division history (1:38:10)

  • 2021 Fan's Choice Comeback of the Year Nominee