Get to know Merab Dvalishvili

Cameron Kelly Updated: May 01 2026 19:13

Merab Dvalishvili is the first born and raised Georgian UFC Champion. With 21 wins from 26 professional bouts, 3 of them by knockout. Merab has been a strong contender in the Bantamweight division.

Birthday	1/10/1991
Age	35
Country	Georgia
Nickname	The Machine
Height	5'6"
Reach	68"
Stance	Orthodox
Weight Division	Bantamweight
Professional Record	21-5-0

Dvalishvili's Age

Merab Dvalishvili was born on January 10, 1991, he is 35 years old. He made his professional MMA debut when he was 23 years old in 2014.

In December 2017, he made his UFC debut at Fight Night where he faced Frankie Saenz. He lost his debut by split decision but went on to become the UFC Bantamweight Champion.

Merab Dvalishvili Record

Merab's record is 21-5-0 he has 3 wins by knockout and 2 by submission. Here are some of his most recent bouts:

December 2025: Petr Yan won in round 5 by unanimous decision at UFC 323.
October 2024: Defeated Cory Sandhagen in round 5 by unanimous decision at UFC 320.
June 2025: Defeated Sean O'Malley in round 3 by submission at UFC 316.
January 2025: Defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in round 5 by unanimous decision at UFC 311.

Nickname

Dvalishivili's nickname is "The Machine" because of his high-intensity and relentless playing style. He creates a challenging environment for anyone trying to match his pace.

When will Dvalishvili Return to the Octagon?

After his title loss at UFC 323 to Petr Yan in December 2025, there is no set date as to when Dvalishvili will return to the octagon. However, there are hopes that the trilogy fight against Petr Yan will take place sometime in 2026.