Merab Dvalishvili: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

UFC titleholder gives positive update on return from injury after 9-hour back surgery

After his surprising title win over Merab Dvalishvili in December, Petr Yan picked up a nasty injury to his lower back. ‘No Mercy’ had dropped three straight fights between 2022 and 2023, leaving his UFC career in doubt.

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Merab Dvalishvili Sparks Debate After Revealing His Views on a Partner’s Past

There is no doubt that no one in the UFC has been more vocal about getting married or talking about his excitement than Merab Dvalishvili. The former bantamweight champion stayed single while dominating his division.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 28

UFC champion provides optimistic return timeline after undergoing brutal 9-hour surgery

Following his shock title win over Merab Dvalishvili this past December, Petr Yan suffered a brutal injury to his lower back. After suffering three losses in a row, ‘No Mercy’s’ UFC career was left in an uncertain position, but he fortunately bounced back with three wins in a row throughout 2024 and 2025.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 24

Petr Yan confirms Merab Dvalishvili rematch set regardless of UFC 324 outcomes

UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan has put to rest speculation about his next title defense, confirming that his next opponent will not depend on the outcome of any fights at UFC 324.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 20

'RIP': Tributes Pour In After Merab Dvalishvili Mourns Close Friend and Training Partner

The year appears to have started with a sad note for former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. He recently mourned the passing of a close friend and training partner, Chris Sicat.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 19

Merab Dvalishvili trilogy with Petr Yan BLOCKED from UFC White House Card

The UFC’s highly anticipated White House event during President Trump’s birthday celebration in June has hit a significant roadblock, and it involves one of the most compelling trilogy storylines in bantamweight history.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 16

Merab Dvalishvili Almost Fought Arman Tsarukyan Before Medical Issue Shut Down His 'Gangster Move'

Merab Dvalishvili has built a reputation on doing the uncomfortable. But according to the former bantamweight champion, one of his boldest moves never made it past the warm-up room!

MMA News / Total Pro Sports / January 16

Former UFC Champ Says Ilia Topuria’s Power Gives Him A Real Shot Against Islam Makhachev

The MMA world is still talking about Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev. As Makhachev doesn’t want to come down to lightweight now, he demands a fight at 170.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 1

Undefeated Axed UFC Fighter Eyes Henry Cejudo, Merab Dvalishvili Wrestling Matches at RAF

Muhammad Mokaev‘s career has taken an unexpected turn, but it has not slowed him down. Instead of disappearing following his surprising UFC exit, the unbeaten flyweight has leaned into visibility and challenges that keep people talking about him.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 31

Merab Dvalishvili Loses Henry Cejudo Support as He Backs Bitter Rival for 2025 Best Fighter

Merab Dvalishvili’s indomitable run in 2025 already uplifted him as one of the greatest bantamweights of all time. However, ‘The Machine’ could not step over that one mountain named Petr Yan at UFC 323, as the Russian snatched the Georgian of his glory in a heated rematch.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / December 28

Sean O’Malley gets a boost as Petr Yan sends UFC a message pushing back on Merab Dvalishvili promise

The bantamweight champion’s plan for 2026 appears to differ from the UFC’s. Petr Yan is looking ahead to the first title defense of his second reign at 135 pounds, having returned to the throne with a huge upset in the main event of UFC 323.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Merab Dvalishvili Seeks Fan Advice on Medical Problem He’s Dealt With for Years

There is a notion that mixed martial arts is safer than boxing. However, the sport takes a tremendous toll on the body of any fighter who gets inside the Octagon.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / December 28

Which MMA Fighter Had The Best 2025?

2025 is almost over in the MMA world, as we look at who had the best year. While several fighters had big runs, Merab Dvalishvili and Islam Makhachev had a strong year.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 27

Islam Makhachev Predicts a Grim UFC Return for Merab Dvalishvili

“Will Merab Dvalishvili get an immediate trilogy against newly crowned bantamweight champion Petr Yan? That’s the burning question among MMA fans. Earlier this month at UFC 323, Yan delivered a masterclass performance, snapping Dvalishvili’s 14-fight win streak and tying the rivalry by dethroning him in their rematch.

Mark Zuckerberg slapped by Merab Dvalishvili in viral MMA sparring clip

Merab Dvalishvili is back in the gym, looking relaxed and enjoying himself after losing his UFC bantamweight belt. Petr Yan surprisingly outworked and outpointed ‘The Machine’ at UFC 323 on December 6, bringing his title reign to an end.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / December 8

Aljamain Sterling Says Merab Dvalishvili Had an 'Off Night' at UFC 323

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling believes Merab Dvalishvili’s performance at UFC 323 was far from his usual self. Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) lost his bantamweight title by unanimous decision to former champion Petr Yan.

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MMA News / MMA Weekly / December 8

Sean O'Malley loses his mind watching Petr Yan defeat Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323

Leading up to the UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 event on Saturday, most thought then-champion Merab Dvalishvili would successfully defend the bantamweight belt in the rematch against former titleholder Petr Yan.

MMA News / Yardbarker / December 7

Potential matchups for UFC 323 main card winners

Here are some potential matchups for the winners on the main card.

Petr Yan shocks Merab Dvalishvili, reclaims bantamweight title

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 7

Petr Yan shocks Merab Dvalishvili, reclaims bantamweight title

LAS VEGAS -- Despite the steepest of odds, Petr Yan is the king of the bantamweight division once again after stunning Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 323 on Saturday.

MMA News / Yardbarker / December 6

Why Merab Dvalishvili must jump to featherweight

Who does UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili have left to beat in the bantamweight division? Apparently no one.

Merab Dvalishvili heavily featured in UFC 323 rematch with Petr Yan

Predictions for the UFC 323 main card

MMA News / Yardbarker / December 5

Predictions for the UFC 323 main card

The last pay-per-view of the year, and of the foreseeable future due to the UFC deal with Paramount, is this week and has some amazing fights. Here are predictions for how the main card of UFC 323 will go.

Merab Dvalishvili heavily featured in UFC 323 rematch with Petr Yan

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 5

Merab Dvalishvili heavily featured in UFC 323 rematch with Petr Yan

LAS VEGAS -- UFC 323, the promotion's final numbered event on the 2025 calendar, will be held in a familiar place at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, headlined by a pair of title fights in which the champion enters as a decisive favorite against the challenger.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / December 4

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2 prediction, odds, pick for UFC 323

UFC 323 has reached the Main Event of the evening as fans will be treated to a high-level rematch for the Bantamweight (135) Championship title. Current champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia will welcome Russia’s No.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 3

Why Is Merab Dvalishvili Called ‘The Machine’? Origin and Real Meaning of His Nickname

Merab Dvalishvili’s rise in the UFC isn’t just about wins, it’s about the way he wins. Round after round, he presses forward with an engine that refuses to cool, chaining takedowns, scrambles, and strikes with a rhythm that feels almost inhuman.

MMA News / MMA on SI / December 1

Merab Dvalishvili shows off bizarre weight cutting hack before UFC 323 title fight

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t mind confronting the temptation of junk food head-on during the final stretch of his weight cut for UFC 323.

MMA News / HITC / October 5

Merab Dvalishvili admits stat-padding after record-breaking UFC 320 performance

Merab Dvalishvili put in another dominant display during his latest title defence, and he is starting to look a cut above the rest of the division. Dvalishvili, who has not lost a fight in over seven years, once again imposed his relentless style to hold onto the bantamweight belt at UFC 320.