Tag: Merab Dvalishvili

Report | Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili set for March 11th UFC Fight Night

Petr YanFormer UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan will take on the No.3 ranked Merab Dvalishvili at a UFC Fight Night event in March. Petr Yan had a tumultuous 2022, to say the least. Having lost his belt via disqualification to Aljamain Sterling the year prior, Yan had managed to bounce back and claim the interim strap […]

Petr Yan

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan will take on the No.3 ranked Merab Dvalishvili at a UFC Fight Night event in March.

Petr Yan had a tumultuous 2022, to say the least. Having lost his belt via disqualification to Aljamain Sterling the year prior, Yan had managed to bounce back and claim the interim strap in a highly entertaining and impressive five-round war with Cory Sandhagen.

This left ‘No Mercy’ poised to pick up right where he had left off, being booked in a rematch with Sterling for the title in April of 2022. The Russian striker entered the fight as a massive favorite, with many writing off Sterling’s chance of victory. However, the ‘Funk Master’ defied expectations, and was able to claim a split decision win over Yan.

In October, Yan returned to the octagon, taking on rising superstar, Sean O’Malley. Once again, Yan was a big favorite, and once again, he came up short, despite giving an excellent account of himself. Now, nearly two years removed from his time as champion, Petr Yan is taking on yet another killer in the bantamweight division.

At UFC Vegas 71, Merab Dvalishvili will take on the former champ (per Las Vegas Review-Journal), looking to cement himself as a top contender at 135lbs. Dvalishvili is riding a six-fight winning streak, having picked up wins over a number of impressive opponents, including Marlon Moraes, Cody Stamann, Casey Kenney, and most recently, Jose Aldo Jr.

The fight promises a classic striker vs. wrestler matchup. It also represents a lifeline for Petr Yan, who has previously hinted at an exit from the UFC, whilst simultaneously representing the stairway to title contention for Merab Dvalishvili.

Admittedly, Dvalishvili’s path is a little more complicated than it may initially seem. The Georgian wrestler is close friends and teammates with the current champ, Aljamain Sterling, with both men repeatedly stating that they never would each other. Whether Merab moves down to 125lbs, or Aljo moves up to featherweight remains to be seen.

Who do you predict will come out on top? Petr Yan or Merab Dvalishvili?

Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili Targeted For UFC Vegas 71, Fans React

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is reportedly set to return for a headliner opposite Merab Dvalishvili in March. Following the disappointment of his second consecutive loss in 2022, which came via a controversial decision against Sean O&#8217…

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is reportedly set to return for a headliner opposite Merab Dvalishvili in March. Following the disappointment of his second consecutive loss in 2022, which came via a controversial decision against Sean O’Malley at UFC 280, reports suggested that the Russian was disgruntled with the promotion to the point he…

Continue Reading Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili Targeted For UFC Vegas 71, Fans React at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere

Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship will be on the line when mixed martial arts’ leading promotion arrives at the Sphere for UFC 306 on September 14. The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in a much […]

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Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship will be on the line when mixed martial arts’ leading promotion arrives at the Sphere for UFC 306 on September 14.

The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in a much different environment this time around.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena for the second straight year, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC is set to go down inside the unique Sphere venue. In the lead-up, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a spectacle like nothing seen before.

And he confirmed this week that O’Malley will be tasked with closing it out in defense of his belt opposite Merab Dvalishvili. White announced the expected news in a video uploaded to the UFC’s social media accounts on Friday night.

O’Malley Targets Second Successful Defense At The Expense Of Dvalishvili

When the pair share the Octagon inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere, O’Malley will be looking to make Dvalishvili the second victim of his title reign.

O’Malley (18-1, 1 NC) captured the 135-pound gold in memorable fashion last August, concluding the Boston-held UFC 292 pay-per-view event with a shocking second-round knockout of longtime champ Aljamain Sterling. The result brought “Funk Master’s” record-breaking rule to an end and set up the chance for his teammate to avenge the setback.

While he’s had to wait for “Sugar” to settle unfinished business with Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in Miami this past March, Dvalishvili (17-4) finally has his first shot at title glory in mixed martial arts booked in.

The Georgian has had to win 10 straight fights and go unbeaten since 2018 to make it happen. He’s most recently defeated three former champs, getting the better of José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo on the scorecards to leave no doubt about his status as the unrivaled number one bantamweight contender.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier urges Sean O’Malley to avoid fight with Merab Dvalishvili next: ‘He could present some problems’

Sean O'MalleyFormer duel-weight UFC champion, Daniel Cormier has advised current #1 ranked bantamweight contender, Sean O’Malley to weigh up a potential title shot in the division next, however, urges him to avoid a fight with Georgian wrestling ace, Merab Dvalishvili first and foremost.  Cormier, a former undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight champion under the banner of […]

Sean O'Malley

Former duel-weight UFC champion, Daniel Cormier has advised current #1 ranked bantamweight contender, Sean O’Malley to weigh up a potential title shot in the division next, however, urges him to avoid a fight with Georgian wrestling ace, Merab Dvalishvili first and foremost. 

Cormier, a former undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, called time on his professional mixed martial arts career back in August 2020 – suffering a title challenge loss to three-time opponent, Stipe Miocic atop a UFC 252 pay-per-view card.

For O’Malley, the Montana native earned the number one rank in the official bantamweight pile back in October, securing a close, split decision win over former champion, Petr Yan on the main card of UFC 280. In the time since, O’Malley has insisted he has been “guaranteed” a title fight in his next Octagon appearance.

“I’m in a tricky position,” Sean O’Malley explained. “I always knew I’d be in this position where you’re at the top of the division. It doesn’t really make sense to fight. I’m guaranteed a title shot. Obviously, ‘Aljo’ and Henry still have to be announced. I’m kind of in that position where do I be smart – like I’vd done my entire career – and just wait for those two dorks to fight or do I risk it and go fight someone else? Which wouldn’t be the intelligent thing to do, but it’s like you only get so many years to fight. I don’t really feel like sitting around too much. I’m leaning towards wairing around for ‘Aljo’ and Henry to fight and just wait for that.”

Daniel Cormier has offered some advice to Sean O’Malley

According to Cormier, however, Sean O’Malley should wait for that title siege in his next walk, and urges him to avoid a potential problematic stylistic battle with Serra-Longo MMA grappling phenom, Dvalishvili next.

“There’s only one name that I would steer clear of if I’m Sean O’Malley, and that’s Merab Dvalishvili,” Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Because I believe that Merab and his pressure fighting style could present some matchups problems for O’Malley. Am I saying no, he can’t win? Not at all. But I’m saying because of the wrestling, the pressure, you don’t want to be stuck in there with Merab. The dude’s a savage.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow) 

Riding an impressive run of eight straight wins, Dvalishvili, who most recently handed former featherweight kingpin, Jose Aldo a unanimous decision defeat at UFC 278 in August, currently holds the number three rank in the official bantamweight rankings.

EA Sports add Hasbulla Magomedov vanity pack to UFC 4, three more fighters in update

Hasbulla MagomedovEA Sports, the producers of UFC 4 – have added social media star, Hasbulla Magomedov to their video game this week in the form of a vanity pack, as well as three other fighters to the platform, in the bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight weight classes. Hasbulla Magomedov vanity pack added to UFC 4 in update […]

Hasbulla Magomedov

EA Sports, the producers of UFC 4 – have added social media star, Hasbulla Magomedov to their video game this week in the form of a vanity pack, as well as three other fighters to the platform, in the bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight weight classes.

Hasbulla Magomedov vanity pack added to UFC 4 in update from EA Sports

Hasbulla Magomedov, a social media star, who has been a prominent face at UFC events this year – particularly at cards hosted on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE – will be available to players of the EA Sports game, in the form of a Hasbulla Magomedov vanity pack, a new update confirmed this Thursday evening.

“Brand NEW @Hasbulla_NFT collection in #UFC4,” EA Sports UFC tweeted. “What geat will you be fighting with? Available IN GAME NOW.” 

Along with the Habsulla Magomedov vanities added to the game, the Canadian-based developer have also added to the UFC 4 game’s roster, in the form of European talents, Merab Dvalishvili at bantamweight, Mateusz Gamrot at lightweight, and the undefeated, Shavkat Rakhmonov at the welterweight limit of 170lbs.

Dvalishvili, a native of Georgia, has been sidelined since UFC 278 back in August of this year, securing another impressive victory in an Octagon walk against the now-retired former undisputed UFC and WEC featherweight titleholder, Jose Aldo.

As for former KSW two-weight champion, Gamrot, the Polish fighter and American Top Team mainstay, has yet to return since he saw his winning steak halted at the hands of the surging, Beneil Dariush at UFC 280 back in October on ‘Fight Island’.

Boasting a perfect finish rate and maintaining his undefeated Octagon record, Kazakh finisher, Rakhmonov most recently defeated Neil Magny earlier this year with a third round win. And is slated to fight fellow division contender, Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 67 in January in what will come as a fifth Octagon walk for the 28-year-old.

TJ Dillashaw Names Two Other Bantamweights Who’d Beat Aljamain Sterling

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw thinks two contenders, other than himself, can defeat Aljamain Sterling. Dillashaw lost to Sterling via second-round TKO at UFC 280 just weeks ago. He reaggravated a shoulder injury and wasn’t able to…

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw thinks two contenders, other than himself, can defeat Aljamain Sterling. Dillashaw lost to Sterling via second-round TKO at UFC 280 just weeks ago. He reaggravated a shoulder injury and wasn’t able to deal with Sterling’s grappling and ground-and-pound barrage as the fight went on. Dillashaw, who before a two-year…

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