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Will fight at UFC Rio Rancho
Dvalishvili (9-4-0) will take on Casey Kenney (13-1-1) in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Rio Rancho on Feb. 15, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Dvalishvili is coming off back-to-back victories, most recently against Brad Katona via unanimous decision at UFC Ottawa in May. Kenney is perfect in his first two UFC bouts after defeating Manny Bermudez via unanimous decision at UFC 241 in August. Dvalishvili carries an advantage in striking rate, although Kenney has shown to be slightly more accurate in his striking over his limited sample size. The two fighters are even in height and reach.
Dvalishvili is coming off back-to-back victories, most recently against Brad Katona via unanimous decision at UFC Ottawa in May. Kenney is perfect in his first two UFC bouts after defeating Manny Bermudez via unanimous decision at UFC 241 in August. Dvalishvili carries an advantage in striking rate, although Kenney has shown to be slightly more accurate in his striking over his limited sample size. The two fighters are even in height and reach.
Winner of back-to-back fights
Dvalishvili defeated Brad Katona via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Ottawa.
ANALYSIS
Born in Tbilsi, Georgia, Dvalishvili now trains with the Serra-Longo team on Long Island. That camp is full of great wrestlers and Merab is their latest grappling prodigy. He landed 5-of-9 takedowns against Katona on Saturday and the end result was a 215-43 edge in total strikes landed. Nicknamed "The Machine" by his teammates, Dvalishvili bring elite cardio to the table. His grappling and energy level give him a decent chance against most any opponent. He was won back-to-back fights after dropping his first two UFC bouts.
Born in Tbilsi, Georgia, Dvalishvili now trains with the Serra-Longo team on Long Island. That camp is full of great wrestlers and Merab is their latest grappling prodigy. He landed 5-of-9 takedowns against Katona on Saturday and the end result was a 215-43 edge in total strikes landed. Nicknamed "The Machine" by his teammates, Dvalishvili bring elite cardio to the table. His grappling and energy level give him a decent chance against most any opponent. He was won back-to-back fights after dropping his first two UFC bouts.
Facing Brad Katona at UFC Ottawa
Dvalishvili (8-4-0) is scheduled to face Brad Katona (8-0-0) in a bantamweight fight May 4 at UFC Ottawa, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Dvalishvili will enter the Octagon for the fourth time after securing his first victory as a member of the promotion Sept. 15 at UFC Moscow, where he won in three rounds over Terrion Ware in a unanimous decision. The 28-year-old likely won't have much of a cheering section in front of the Ottawa crowd, which should back Katona heavily while he fights in his native country for the second time in a row. Katona most recently defeated Matthew Lopez via unanimous decision in December at UFC 231 in Toronto.
Dvalishvili will enter the Octagon for the fourth time after securing his first victory as a member of the promotion Sept. 15 at UFC Moscow, where he won in three rounds over Terrion Ware in a unanimous decision. The 28-year-old likely won't have much of a cheering section in front of the Ottawa crowd, which should back Katona heavily while he fights in his native country for the second time in a row. Katona most recently defeated Matthew Lopez via unanimous decision in December at UFC 231 in Toronto.
Victorious via unanimous decision in UFC's Moscow debut
Dvalishvili defeated Terrion Ware via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25) at UFC Moscow on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Dvalishvili dominated Ware in this fight. Coming into the fight he had 17 takedowns in his first two Octagon appearances, and he continued that trend against Ware. Dvalishvili constantly took Ware down throughout the fight. Once the fight was on the ground he was content to stay in guard and half guard and land ground and pound. There wasn't much flash to this victory, but it is clear Dvalishvili will be problematic for many UFC bantamweights. He called out Sean O'Malley after the fight.
Dvalishvili dominated Ware in this fight. Coming into the fight he had 17 takedowns in his first two Octagon appearances, and he continued that trend against Ware. Dvalishvili constantly took Ware down throughout the fight. Once the fight was on the ground he was content to stay in guard and half guard and land ground and pound. There wasn't much flash to this victory, but it is clear Dvalishvili will be problematic for many UFC bantamweights. He called out Sean O'Malley after the fight.
Headed to Moscow to face Terrion Ware
Dvalishvili will take on Terrion Ware in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Moscow on Sept. 15, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Dvalishvili appears to have a slight edge heading into this one, especially in terms of his wrestling. A native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Dvalishvili has accumulated 17 takedowns in just two UFC fights, though both of them ended in defeat. He could just as easily be 1-1, however, as Dvalishvili was winning his last fight against Ricky Simon handily before getting choked out at the last possible second. His opponent has successfully defended less than half of the takedowns attempted on him over three UFC fights, so look for Dvalishvili to try and get this fight to the mat early and often. He'll enter with slight height and reach disadvantages, but should have the crowd's favor, in addition to a better striking differential and far superior takedown numbers.
Dvalishvili appears to have a slight edge heading into this one, especially in terms of his wrestling. A native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Dvalishvili has accumulated 17 takedowns in just two UFC fights, though both of them ended in defeat. He could just as easily be 1-1, however, as Dvalishvili was winning his last fight against Ricky Simon handily before getting choked out at the last possible second. His opponent has successfully defended less than half of the takedowns attempted on him over three UFC fights, so look for Dvalishvili to try and get this fight to the mat early and often. He'll enter with slight height and reach disadvantages, but should have the crowd's favor, in addition to a better striking differential and far superior takedown numbers.