Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili | |||||||||||||||
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File:Merab Dvalishvili at UFN 136 in Moscow.jpg | |||||||||||||||
Born | Tbilisi, Georgia | January 10, 1991||||||||||||||
Other names | The Machine | ||||||||||||||
Nationality | Georgian | ||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) | ||||||||||||||
Division | Bantamweight | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 68[1] in (173 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Style | Sambo[2] | ||||||||||||||
Fighting out of | Long Island, New York, United States[3] | ||||||||||||||
Team | Serra-Longo Fight Team | ||||||||||||||
Trainer | Ray Longo and Matt Serra[3] | ||||||||||||||
Rank | Black belt in Judo[2] | ||||||||||||||
Years active | 2014–present | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
Total | 17 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 13 | ||||||||||||||
By knockout | 2 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 10 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 4 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Merab Dvalishvili (born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the UFC's bantamweight division. As of May 10, 2021, he is #10 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.[4]
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.[3]
In 2019, Dvalishvili finished second in the Sambo World Championships in Korea. Dvalishvili competed in combat sambo at 68 kilograms and lost in the finals to Russia's Stepan Kobenov.[5]
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.[6]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Dvalishvili made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017 against Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega.[7] He lost the fight via split decision.[8]
His next fight came on April 21, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee against Ricky Simón. He lost the fight via technical submission.[9]
Dvalishvili faced Terrion Ware on September 15, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik.[10] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[11]
Dvalishvili faced Brad Katona on May 4, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]
Dvalishvili faced Casey Kenney on February 15, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 167.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[15]
Dvalishvili was scheduled to face Ray Borg on June 13, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo.[16] 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.[17] Dvalishvili was victorious via unanimous decision.[18]
Dvalishvili faced John Dodson on August 15, 2020 at UFC 252.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]
Dvalishvili was expected to face Cody Stamann on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 19.[21] However on October 22, it was announced that Stamann pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[22] and he was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.[23] However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout on November 7.[24] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was reschedule for UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.[25] In turn, in mid January, Dvalishvili was forced to pull out from the bout due to the struggle of the after-effects of a COVID-19 complication, and he was replaced by Andre Ewell.[26] After a positive test for COVID-19, Ewell was pulled from the event and replaced by promotional newcomer Askar Askar, with the contest expected to take place at featherweight.[27][28] On the day of the event, Askar was not medically cleared and the bout was cancelled.[29] The bout between Dvalishvili and Stamann was re-schduled again to May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[30] Merab won the bout via unanimous decision.[31]
Mixed martial arts record
17 matches | 13 wins | 4 losses |
By knockout | 2 | 0 |
By submission | 1 | 1 |
By decision | 10 | 3 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 13–4 | Cody Stamann | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka | 1 May 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 12–4 | John Dodson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 252 | 15 August 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 Simón | 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 (split) | 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. |
See also
References
- ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ a b "Merab Dvalishvili - Official UFC Profile". media.ufc.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Merab Dvalishvili brings his country's fighting spirit to ROC 58 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Merab Dvalishvili brings his country’s fighting spirit to ROC 58 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ^ Blaine Henry (October 7, 2020). "Stepan Kobenov: Combat Sambo World Champion". Fight-Library.com.
- ^ "Merab Dvalishvili | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Merab Dvalishvili | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!.
- ^ "LI's Dvalishvili to debut at UFC Fresno". Newsday.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 123 results: Frankie Saenz outworks Merab Dvalishvili for split decision". MMA Junkie. 10 December 2017.
- ^ MMAjunkie, Matt Erickson. "Fighter Ricky Simon wins by TKO after final bell at UFC Fight Night 128". USA TODAY.
- ^ DNA, MMA. "Cage Fury FC Kampioen Jared Gordon tekent UFC contract MMA DNA". Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 136 results: Merab Dvalishvili mauls Terrion Ware, calls for fight with Sean O'Malley". MMA Junkie. 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Winnipeg bantamweight Brad Katona added to UFC Vancouver card - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Pearson, Andrew (4 May 2019). "Merab Dvalishvili Defeats Katona Via Wrestling". MMAmania.com.
- ^ Staff (2019-12-19). "Bantamweight clash between Casey Kenney and Merab Dvalishvili for UFC Rio Rancho". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-12-19.(in Dutch)
- ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-02-15). "UFC Rio Rancho Results: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Casey Kenney". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Datta, Soumik (2020-06-05). "Ray Borg vs Merab Dvalishvili reportedly set for UFC's June 13 event". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
- ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-06-11). "Ray Borg out of UFC on ESPN 10, Dvalisvhili now fights Combate Americas champ Lopez (UPDATE)". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-06-13). "UFC on ESPN 10 Results: Merab Dvalishvili's Pace Too Much for Gustavo Lopez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
- ^ "John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili added to UFC 252 lineup". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-08-15). "UFC 252 Results: Merab Dvalishvili Blankets John Dodson to Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
- ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-09-24). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann joins UFC's Dec. 5 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
- ^ Giorgi Kokiashvili (2020-10-22). "The fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Kodi Staman failed". adjarasport.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22. (in Georgian)
- ^ Farah Hannoun (2020-11-13). "Streaking bantamweights Merab Dvalishvili and Raoni Barcelos meet at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ Jay Pettry (2020-11-19). "Raoni Barcelos pulled from Merab Dvalishvili matchup at UFC on ESPN 19". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-01-09). "BREAKING: Cody Stamann vs. Merab Dvalishvili nu op 6 februari". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-01-15). "Merab Dvalishvili out, Andre Ewell pakt short notice partij op 6 februari tegen Cody Stamann". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
- ^ Jay Anderson (2021-02-01). "Andre Ewell out of fight against Cody Stamann at UFC Vegas 18". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
- ^ Staff (2021-02-02). "Updates to UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov". ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ Alexander K. Lee (2021-02-06). "Askar Askar not medically cleared to compete, fight with Cody Stamann off UFC Vegas 18". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
- ^ Mike Bohn and Farah Hannounn (2021-03-10). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cody Stamann booked again, this time for UFC Fight Night on May 1". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ "UFC on ESPN 23 results: Merab Dvalishvili outworks Cody Stamann, calls out Dominick Cruz". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Merab Dvalishvili MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog.