Merab Dvalishvili News
Merab Dvalishvili’s manager responds to criticism from UFC President Dana White: “Let's find out who the best in the world is. I can tell you it aint #6 Chito Vera”
Susan Cox - August 31, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili’s manager is responding to the recent criticism his fighter received from UFC President, Dana White. It was White, who when asked at a press conference, about Dvalishvili passing up a potential title shot, said:
Dana White takes aim at top ranked UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili: “You should be somewhere else”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2023
UFC president Dana White has taken a shot at bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili for opting not to fight Aljamain Sterling. Many fans know that Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling are close friends and training partners. In addition to that, they both compete at bantamweight, with Sterling being the former champion.
Aljamain Sterling reveals “the key” for Merab Dvalishvili to defeat new UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley
Susan Cox - August 29, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is revealing ‘the key’ for Merab Dvalishvili to defeat new UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. It’s been just over a week ago that Aljamain Sterling (23-4 MMA) was defeated by Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) at UFC 292 which took place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Chael Sonnen thinks Merab Dvalishvili could be risking his career by waiting for UFC title shot
Fernando Quiles - August 28, 2023
Chael Sonnen isn’t so sure that Merab Dvalishvili is playing his cards right. Dvalishvili recently witnessed his training partner and close friend Aljamain Sterling lose the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292. After the fight, Merab told “The Schmo” that he plans to wait for a title shot because he doesn’t feel he has anything left to prove since he’s on a nine-fight winning streak. He took things a step further during an interview with MMAJunkie, saying he’d be willing to wait longer than one year for a title opportunity.
Tim Welch believes Sean O'Malley's TKO of Aljamain Sterling "put a little fear" into Merab Dvalishvili
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2023
Tim Welch, the head coach of Sean O’Malley, believes UFC 292 put some fear into Merab Dvalishvili. In the main event of UFC 292, Sean O’Malley became the UFC’s new bantamweight champion with a second-round TKO over Aljamain Sterling. In the corner of Sterling was Dvalishvili who is a top contender at bantamweight, who could be next in line to face O’Malley.
Merab Dvalishvili sounds off on the idea of Marlon Vera getting the first crack at newly crowned bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley: “He’s not even top 5”
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili has lashed out at the idea of Marlon Vera being the first man to challenge Sean O’Malley for the title. Last weekend, Sean O’Malley defeated Aljamain Sterling to capture the UFC bantamweight championship. In doing so, he put a target on his back – and many 135 pounders are ready to step up to the plate.
Merab Dvalishvili says he has “markgoddardphobia” following latest stoppage in the main event of UFC 292
Harry Kettle - August 23, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili has once again gone after referee Marc Goddard following his stoppage in the main event of UFC 292. Last weekend at UFC 292, Marc Goddard served as the referee for the UFC bantamweight championship fight between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. In the second round, O’Malley dropped Sterling before unleashing some nasty ground and pound on the former champ. While Sterling was able to turn and get to his knees, Goddard had seen enough, and decided to stop the contest.
Merab Dvalishvili takes aim at referee Marc Goddard for “another early stoppage” in Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley
Harry Kettle - August 21, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili has taken a shot at Marc Goddard for what he deemed to be an early stoppage in the UFC 292 main event between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. In the main event of UFC 292 last weekend, Aljamain Sterling went head to head with Sean O’Malley. He was hoping to successfully defend his bantamweight championship once again, but instead, he was TKO’d in the second round by ‘Suga’. In the process, of course, he lost his belt, but some have questioned whether or not it was an early stoppage.
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling reacts to Henry Cejudo’s callout of teammate Merab Dvalishvili: “He's got a tall task ahead of him”
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on Henry Cejudo possibly squaring off with his teammate Merab Dvalishvili. Earlier this month, Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo via split decision. It was a tight, competitive affair but in the end, it was Sterling who got his hand raised and walked away as the UFC bantamweight champion.
Merab Dvalishvili accepts challenge from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo: “I will take another of Aljamain Sterling’s leftovers… For now!”
Susan Cox - May 9, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili has accepted the challenge he received from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo. UFC 288 took place last Saturday, May 6th which saw Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA) defeat Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA) via split decision in the main event. With the victory, Sterling has successfully defended his bantamweight title 3 times.
Sean O'Malley & Merab Dvalishvili exchange words following jacket snatching incident at UFC 288
Fernando Quiles - May 7, 2023
Sean O’Malley got heated at UFC 288 over the trolling antics of Merab Dvalishvili and it led to an exchange between the two on social media. O’Malley was in attendance at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey for the event. He got a close look at the main event between UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo. After five rounds of highly competitive action, Sterling successfully retained the 135-pound gold via split decision.
Merab Dvalishvili under fire after performing “dangerous” high-rise social media stunt (Video)
Susan Cox - April 17, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili is coming under fire after performing a ‘dangerous’ high-rise social media stunt. Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA) is currently on an impressive 9 fight winning streak,his latest unanimous decision victory coming against Petr Yan (16-5 MMA) this past March at UFC Fight Night 221.
Merab Dvalishvili responds to callout from UFC San Antonio main event winner Cory Sandhagen
Fernando Quiles - March 26, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili appears to be more than willing to accept Cory Sandhagen’s challenge. Sandhagen was in action this past Saturday night (March 25). He went one-on-one with Marlon “Chito” Vera in the main event of UFC San Antonio. Sandhagen scored what appeared to be a decisive victory over Vera after five rounds of action, but judge Joel Ojeda turned in what many consider to be an egregious 48-47 score total in favor of “Chito.” Ojeda’s scores were overruled by the other two Octagon-side judges, and Sandhagen nabbed a split decision victory.
Video | Merab Dvalishvili shows off hand injury he sustained two weeks before Petr Yan bout: "I was ignoring the pain so I could fight"
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili revealed he suffered a hand injury just two weeks before he was set to headline UFC Las Vegas against Petr Yan. Dvalishvili headlined his first UFC event tow weeks ago and it was a pivotal scrap for the division. With a win, Merab knew he would be in the title conversation. Yet, just two weeks before the fight, Dvalishvili revealed he suffered a hand injury, and just moments into the fight, he reinjured it.
Aljamain Sterling is open to fighting training partner Merab Dvalishvili if the UFC offers up “NFL money”
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is open to fighting training partner Merab Dvalishvili if the UFC offers up ‘NFL money’. Sterling (22-3 MMA) is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, his latest victory coming via TKO against T.J. Dillashaw (17-5 MMA) in October of last year at UFC 280.
Anthony Smith questions whether the friendship between Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is going both ways: “What I’ve seen is Merab ride hard as s**t for his best friend”
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2023
UFC fighter Anthony Smith has questioned whether the friendship between Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is too one-sided. Last weekend, Merab Dvalishvili earned the biggest win of his career as he completely outclassed Petr Yan. In doing so, he put himself firmly in line for a shot at the UFC bantamweight championship.
What's next for Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan after UFC Las Vegas?
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2023
In the main event of UFC Las Vegas, Merab Dvalishvili headlined his first UFC event against former bantamweight champ, Petr Yan. Dvalishvili was coming off a decision win over Jose Aldo in August to extend his win streak to eight. Also on the win streak, he had wins over John Dodson, Cody Stamann, and Marlon Moraes among others. Yan, meanwhile, entered the fight losing back-to-back split decisions to Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling and was 1-3 in his last four.
Petr Yan releases statement after UFC Las Vegas loss to Merab Dvalishvili: "I couldn't think about canceling the fight, since I was already on the field"
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2023
Petr Yan has opened up on his UFC Las Vegas main event defeat to Merab Dvalishvili. Yan entered the fight on a two-fight losing skid and being 1-3 in his last four, including two losses to Aljamain Sterling to lose his bantamweight title and then in the rematch. The Russian was the betting favorite against Dvalishvili but Yan was dominated over all five rounds as he lost 50-45 on every scorecard.