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UFC Seattle takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
Can Islam Makhachev cement his legacy as one of the great lightweight champions? Can Merab Dvalishvili prove that he is the rightful bantamweight king? Get the answers to these questions and more on Fight IQ.
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Shines in successful title defense
Dvalishvili retained the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Umar Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 311 in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
There is simply no fighter in the world today, in any weight class, with the ability to match the pace and cardio of Merab. It took him the better part of two rounds to figure things out against Nurmagomedov, but once he floored the gas pedal, Umar was done. Merab finished with seven takedowns on 30 attempts. He had just 2:22 worth of control time, but the constant pressure and the ability to close distance in an instant is worth nearly as much as having your opponent pinned to the mat. Umar was totally exhausted midway through Round 3, and Dvalishvili looked like he just rolled out of bed. In the win, Merab passed Georges St. Pierre for the most takedowns in UFC history. It's not a stretch to say Umar was by far Dvalishvili's toughest test to date and he passed it with flying colors. Merab has the look of a long-term champion, even in arguably the sport's deepest division. He'll also walk away with a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
There is simply no fighter in the world today, in any weight class, with the ability to match the pace and cardio of Merab. It took him the better part of two rounds to figure things out against Nurmagomedov, but once he floored the gas pedal, Umar was done. Merab finished with seven takedowns on 30 attempts. He had just 2:22 worth of control time, but the constant pressure and the ability to close distance in an instant is worth nearly as much as having your opponent pinned to the mat. Umar was totally exhausted midway through Round 3, and Dvalishvili looked like he just rolled out of bed. In the win, Merab passed Georges St. Pierre for the most takedowns in UFC history. It's not a stretch to say Umar was by far Dvalishvili's toughest test to date and he passed it with flying colors. Merab has the look of a long-term champion, even in arguably the sport's deepest division. He'll also walk away with a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Defending title in January
Dvalishvili will fight Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, per Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Dvalishvili defeated Sean O'Malley in September to claim the Bantamweight Championship, and he'll now be tasked with defending his title against Nurmagomedov, who has not taken a loss 18 fights into his professional career (6-0 in UFC).
Dvalishvili defeated Sean O'Malley in September to claim the Bantamweight Championship, and he'll now be tasked with defending his title against Nurmagomedov, who has not taken a loss 18 fights into his professional career (6-0 in UFC).
Wrestles way to UFC gold
Dvalishvili won the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) at UFC 306 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This fight was not as close as the scorecards would lead you to believe. Competing for UFC gold for the first time in his career, Merab was on point from start to finish. He was constantly moving, limiting O'Malley's ability to get comfortable on the feet. Dvalishvili attempted 15 takedowns, landing six. That may seem like a lot of attempts, but remember this is a guy that attempted 49 (!!!) takedowns in a five-round win over Petr Yan in March of 2023. Merab continuously pushed forward, making smart decisions regarding when he was going to shoot. The half-dozen successful tries led to 10:03 worth of control time. More importantly, it helped drain O'Malley's gas tank and limited his ability to string together combinations on the feet. It was a perfectly-executed game plan by Merab and his two coaches, John Wood and Ray Longo. Dvalishvili's first title defense sure appears as if it will come against an opponent in Umar Nurmagomedov, who as a fellow grappler himself, will present a completely different set of challenges than a stand-up specialist like O'Malley.
This fight was not as close as the scorecards would lead you to believe. Competing for UFC gold for the first time in his career, Merab was on point from start to finish. He was constantly moving, limiting O'Malley's ability to get comfortable on the feet. Dvalishvili attempted 15 takedowns, landing six. That may seem like a lot of attempts, but remember this is a guy that attempted 49 (!!!) takedowns in a five-round win over Petr Yan in March of 2023. Merab continuously pushed forward, making smart decisions regarding when he was going to shoot. The half-dozen successful tries led to 10:03 worth of control time. More importantly, it helped drain O'Malley's gas tank and limited his ability to string together combinations on the feet. It was a perfectly-executed game plan by Merab and his two coaches, John Wood and Ray Longo. Dvalishvili's first title defense sure appears as if it will come against an opponent in Umar Nurmagomedov, who as a fellow grappler himself, will present a completely different set of challenges than a stand-up specialist like O'Malley.
Will challenge O'Malley
Dvalishvili will face Sean O'Malley in a bantamweight fight in UFC Noche at Sphere in Las Vegas on Sep. 14.
ANALYSIS
Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim in his most recent fight in February this year, and he'll get the title shot he was desperately looking for. Not only that, but he'll face O'Malley in a fight that has been slated to happen for quite some time. One of the most in-form fighters in the world regardless of weight -- and even discipline -- after winning 10 fights in a row, Merab will aim to take the most significant step in his career as he guns for the Bantamweight Championship.
Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim in his most recent fight in February this year, and he'll get the title shot he was desperately looking for. Not only that, but he'll face O'Malley in a fight that has been slated to happen for quite some time. One of the most in-form fighters in the world regardless of weight -- and even discipline -- after winning 10 fights in a row, Merab will aim to take the most significant step in his career as he guns for the Bantamweight Championship.
Cruises again, title shot next?
Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
Merab started slowly here, as we have seen in some of his past fights. Yet as we have also seen in his past bouts, he eventually finds his way and overwhelms his competition with the best combination of conditioning and grappling in the sport today. Yes, Cejudo is 37 years old, but he's a former Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling. Merab ended up landing 5-of-11 takedown attempts and finished with a 167-54 edge in total strikes landed. The bottom line is that you're going to have to knock him out because no one is going to be able to match his pace, particularly in a five-round fight. The winner of ten fights in a row, Merab is almost certainly next in line for the winner of the upcoming UFC 299 Bantamweight Championship fight between Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera, scheduled for early March in Miami (later confirmed by UFC President Dana White). When he does get the shot, Dvalishvili is going to be a hefty favorite over either.
Merab started slowly here, as we have seen in some of his past fights. Yet as we have also seen in his past bouts, he eventually finds his way and overwhelms his competition with the best combination of conditioning and grappling in the sport today. Yes, Cejudo is 37 years old, but he's a former Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling. Merab ended up landing 5-of-11 takedown attempts and finished with a 167-54 edge in total strikes landed. The bottom line is that you're going to have to knock him out because no one is going to be able to match his pace, particularly in a five-round fight. The winner of ten fights in a row, Merab is almost certainly next in line for the winner of the upcoming UFC 299 Bantamweight Championship fight between Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera, scheduled for early March in Miami (later confirmed by UFC President Dana White). When he does get the shot, Dvalishvili is going to be a hefty favorite over either.