When Merab Dvalishvili began his UFC career, few, perhaps not even he, believed he would one day become a champion. Not only has he silenced the doubters, but he’s rewritten the narrative. After starting with two losses in the UFC, Merab rose through the ranks with relentless grit and dominance. Following his massive win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, the Georgian warrior is not only the undisputed bantamweight king but is also being talked about as a potential bantamweight GOAT. To top it off, he has surged up the pound-for-pound rankings, replacing none other than Jon Jones.
At UFC 316, Sean O’Malley aimed to redeem himself and reclaim his bantamweight title from Merab Dvalishvili. But ‘The Machine’ proved unstoppable, dominating O’Malley with relentless pressure and securing a third-round submission. Dvalishvili’s 13-fight win streak now includes victories over legends like Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, and Jose Aldo.
His 13-fight win streak, which has cleared out the division, showcases his dominance. Jon Jones’ replacement in the rankings sparked backlash, but Dvalishvili’s activity and results overshadow it. His relentless cardio, dominant wrestling, and sharpened striking have made him a bantamweight juggernaut.
🚨 BIG changes in the UFC Men's pound-for-pound rankings following #UFC316
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 10, 2025
Merab moves up 2 spots to #2, JDM and Alex Pereira swap places and Sean O'Malley is off the P4P list pic.twitter.com/ALpbIFL3hz
In just 17 months, he’s fought four times, dismantling Henry Cejudo, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Sean O’Malley twice, cementing his No. 2 P4P ranking with little debate. ‘Triple C’ believes one more win, likely against Cory Sandhagen, could crown him No. 1 P4P.
Henry Cejudo Claims Merab Dvalishvili Will Outdo Jon Jones And Islam Makhachev
Cejudo says ‘The Machine’ is about to achieve something unique in MMA. He feels that while top fighters like Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev haven’t completely dominated everyone in their respective weight classes, as per the former champ, Merab is on the verge of defeating all the best fighters in his division. If Merab beats Cory Sandhagen, Cejudo thinks he deserves to be the No. 1 P4P and win ‘Fighter of the Year’ for 2025.
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It will be interesting to see how the rest of this year unfolds for Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ has already secured its place among the elite and continues to build an impressive legacy. His relentless work ethic and dominant performances have undeniably earned him a significant spot in the company’s history.
Also Read: UFC 316 Purse: How Much Money Did Merab Dvalishvili Earn Defeating Sean O’Malley?
