Introduction
Merab Dvalishvili (Georgian: მერაბ დვალიშვილი; born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the UFC's bantamweight division. As of July 14, 2020, he is #15 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Background
Dvalishvili grew up in Tbilisi, Georgia. He started training in qartuli chidaoba (traditional wrestling) and khridoli (transitional fighting), Sambo and judo when he was young for self-defense and moved to the United States when he was 21 years old to become a professional MMA fighter. He trains under Ray Longo and Matt Serra.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Dvalishvili started his MMA career in 2014 and fought under various promotions namely the Ring of Combat. He amassed a record of 7–2 prior to competing in the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017 against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega. He lost the fight via split decision.
His next fight came on April 21, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee against Ricky Simon. He lost the fight via technical submission.
Dvalishvili faced Terrion Ware on September 15, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dvalishvili faced Brad Katona on May 4, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dvalishvili faced Casey Kenney on February 15, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 167. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. However, on June 11, 2020 it was reported that Borg withdrew from the bout and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Gustavo Lopez in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds. Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.
Dvalishvili faced John Dodson on August 15, 2020 at UFC 252. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 16 matches | 12 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 9 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 12–4 | John Dodson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 252 | August 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 | Gustavo Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo | 13 June 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 10–4 | Casey Kenney | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 | 15 February 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 9–4 | Brad Katona | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy | 4 May 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 8–4 | Terrion Ware | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik | 15 September 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 7–4 | Ricky Simon | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | 21 April 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 7–3 | Frankie Saenz | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | 9 December 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Raufeon Stots | KO (spinning backfist) | Ring of Combat 59 | 2 June 2017 | 1 | 0:15 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Sukhrob Aydarbekov | Submission (armbar) | Ring of Combat 58 | 24 February 2017 | 2 | N/A | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the vacant Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–2 | Tony Gravely | Decision (unanimous) | Ring of Combat 57 | 18 November 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Paul Grant | Decision (unanimous) | Ring of Combat 56 | 23 September 2016 | 3 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 3–2 | Matt Tullos | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 36 | 10 June 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 2–2 | Geoffrey Then | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 34 | 1 April 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Ricky Bandejas | Decision (unanimous) | CFFC 43 | 1 November 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Dennis Dombrow | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 49 | 19 September 2014 | 3 | 0:50 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Darren Mima | Decision (majority) | Ring of Combat 47 | 24 January 2014 | 3 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bantamweight debut. |