When Is Merab Dvalishvili’s Next Fight?

Merab Dvalishvili is the newly minted UFC bantamweight champion after he unanimously beat Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306 on Sept. 14 inside the Sphere in Las Vegas. It was his 11th straight victory in the UFC, a tenure that dates back to September 2018.

The Machine did it ALL in the Octagon last night! 😤 @MerabDvalishvil is your NEW bantamweight champion 🏆

[ #UFC306 | @RiyadhSeason #NocheUFC ] pic.twitter.com/uAAurTIWwz

— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2024

This also made him a top name in online sports betting, especially when his MMA odds were present. But when will “The Machine” return to action? And who are his potential next opponents? Find out below.

When Is Merab Dvalishvili’s Next Fight?

Dvalishvili’s next opponent is yet to be determined, but two names are frontrunners as his first title challenger – Umar Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo. Both fighters are ranked in the top five of the bantamweight division.

However, during his post-event interview at UFC 306, Dvalishvili leaned towards a fight with Figueiredo. He prefers to fight former champions and Nurmagomedov has yet to claim a UFC belt.

Merab Dvalishvili remains adamant that Deiveson Figueiredo should get the next title shot, and says Umar Nurmagomedov should fight Petr Yan next 😬

🎥 @ufc #NocheUFC #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/QPLaNnhAAY

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 15, 2024

Merab Dvalishvili MMA Record and Statistics

• MMA record: 18-4

• Wins by TKO/KO: 3

• Wins by submission: 1

• Wins by decision: 14

• Striking accuracy: 42%

• Significant strikes landed per minute: 4.50

• Significant strikes absorbed: 2.37

• Takedown average per 15 minutes: 6.43

• Submission average per 15 minutes: 0.33

• Takedown accuracy: 37%

• Significant strikes defense: 57%

• Takedown defense: 81%

• Knockdown average: 0.08

• Average fight time: 15:22

Merab Dvalishvili Notable Wins

Dvalishvili has 11 victories inside the octagon, and several notable names he defeated were John Dodson, Cody Stamann, Marlon Moraes, José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and O’Malley.

Merab Dvalishvili UFC Earnings

Dvalishvili’s estimated UFC earnings are more than $3 million from 13 fights under the Las Vegas-based promotion. His biggest pay from a single fight was against O’Malley in September 2024 at UFC 306, where he bagged a whopping $1.4 million salary.

Merab Dvalishvili Team and Corner

Dvalishvili is affiliated with the Serra-Longo Fight Team, which is located in Long Island, New York. The team’s head trainers and coaches are Matt Serra, Ray Longo, and Chris Weidman.

Other top UFC stars and fighters training with the team include former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former UFC lightweight contender Al Iaquinta.