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Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian-American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC bantamweight division and has held the UFC bantamweight championship.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian-American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC bantamweight division and has held the UFC bantamweight championship. Born on 10 January 1991, he is known for his high-paced wrestling-heavy style and relentless pressure in the octagon. He was born in Vani, Georgia, and later moved to Tbilisi before building his MMA career in the United States.

Early life

Dvalishvili was born in Vani, Georgia, and grew up in Georgia before moving to Tbilisi as a child. He later relocated to the United States, where he developed his professional MMA career.

Mixed martial arts career

He competes in the UFC bantamweight division and became one of the sport's top-ranked fighters. Sources describe him as a former UFC bantamweight champion and a highly successful competitor in the division.

Fighting style

Dvalishvili is known for relentless cardio, wrestling-based pressure, and an aggressive pace. His style emphasizes takedowns, control, and sustained output over three or five rounds.

Recent results

Available results indicate that his most recent major fight before the current date was a championship defense against Umar Nurmagomedov, which he won by unanimous decision in January 2025. This made him one of the division's most notable active champions.

Key facts

  • Merab Dvalishvili is a former UFC bantamweight champion.
  • He was born on 10 January 1991 in Vani, Georgia.
  • His fighting style is wrestling-heavy with relentless pressure.
  • His professional MMA record is 21–5–0.
  • He won his last title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision in January 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Merab Dvalishvili?
Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian-American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC bantamweight division and has held the UFC bantamweight title.
How old is Merab Dvalishvili?
He was born on 10 January 1991, which makes him 35 years old.
What is Merab Dvalishvili's fighting style?
He is known for a wrestling-heavy style, relentless pressure, and very high pace and stamina.
What happened to Merab Dvalishvili in his last fight?
The latest fight described in the sources was a unanimous-decision win over Umar Nurmagomedov in a UFC bantamweight title defense.
What is Merab Dvalishvili's record?
ESPN lists his professional MMA record as 21 wins and 5 losses, with no draws.
Where is Merab Dvalishvili from?
He was born in Vani, Georgia, and later grew up in Tbilisi.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merab_Dvalishvili
    Supports: Birth date, Georgian background, UFC bantamweight career, birthplace in Vani, and move to Tbilisi.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3948572/merab-dvalishvili
    Supports: Age, team, stance, division, and professional record.
  3. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/20/sport/merab-dvalishvili-ufc-georgia-profile-spt-intl
    Supports: Georgia background, fighting characteristics, and recent championship defense over Umar Nurmagomedov.
  4. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/47934-merab-dvalishvili
    Supports: Born in Tbilisi, fighting out of New York, and professional record listing.
  5. Sherdog — https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Merab-Dvalishvili-157355
    Supports: Age, height, weight, division, team, and win/loss totals.