Dvalishvili Vs. Volkanovski – How Does It Play Out?

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping wants UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili to move up to face featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, as we look at how the fight could play out. 

Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight belt for the third consecutive time by defeating Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event at UFC 320 this month. This win tied the record for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC bantamweight history, a record he now shares with Aljamain Sterling. Dvalishvili wants to fight by the end of the year to break the record for the number of title defenses in a calendar year, as he eyed a rematch with Petr Yan. However, Bisping wants Merab to chase a belt in a second weight class against one of the UFC’s pound-for-pound best. 

“Why can’t Merab Dvalishvili go up when he’s beaten everyone in the Top 10 pretty much. He’s lapping the division. “Tell me that you don’t want to see a fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Merab Dvalishvili. That would be incredible. I would absolutely love to see that fight. If you want to do a big fight, if you want to showcase the lighter divisions, I am telling you, Alexander Volkanovski versus Merab Dvalishvili in 2026. I’ve got a feeling that’s going to happen,” Bisping said 

The Approach

Merab’s primary goal would be to weaponize his endurance and relentless chain wrestling to overwhelm Volkanovski, forcing the pace so high that the former featherweight champion eventually slows down. He would look to close the distance immediately, utilize the clinch against the cage wall with knees and short punches, and execute multiple takedown entries to drain Volkanovski’s energy reserves.

Volkanovski, however, is one of the most intelligent and well-conditioned fighters in UFC history, known for his supreme fight IQ and ability to make mid-fight adjustments. His defense would be the first major challenge for Merab. Volkanovski’s wrestling defense is elite for the featherweight division, and he is a notoriously difficult fighter to hold down, even against naturally larger opponents.

Volkanovski would rely on his impeccable footwork and defensive wrestling technique to consistently circle away from Merab’s entries and would prioritize an immediate scramble back to his feet using his excellent base and amplified strength at 145 pounds. Volkanovski is also the cleaner, more powerful striker and would score heavily in the open space, landing powerful leg kicks and sharp boxing combinations.