Is the third time the charm for this matchup?
The UFC has tried and tried but maybe we’ll at long last see this matchup come to fruition.
MMA Junkie reported on Wednesday that a bantamweight bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Cody Stamann is on tap for a Fight Night card on May 1st. This fight was targeted for last December, then this past February, only for each man to withdraw for different reasons — Stamann for injury, Dvalishvili for COVID-19.
Dvalishvili (12-4) has won five straight fights, including a unanimous decision over John Dodson which sent Dodson out of the UFC. The Republic of Georgia native is known for his high-energy, relentless style of fighting and he’s eager to make his way up the 135 lbs ranks.
Stamann (19-3-1) has not fought since a decision loss to Jimmie Rivera last July. In February he was set to face Andre Ewell after Dvalishvili pulled out of the contest, only for Ewell to test positive for COVID-19. When Askar Askar came in as a late replacement, he wasn’t medically cleared on fight day and Stamann was left without a fight.
Current bantamweight rankings have Stamann at #13 and Dvalishvili at #12.
The May 1st UFC Fight Night card is expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between former title challenger Dominick Reyes and ex-RIZIN champion Jiri Prochazka. Broadcast details have not yet been revealed.