Former champion Dillashaw sees Dvalishvili ruling over the 135-pound division for a while. However, he did surprisingly pick former foe Cody Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) as potentially the champion’s sternest test – despite “No Love” having lost three of his past five.

Many have wondered how Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) can push such an incredible pace seamlessly, and famed coach Firas Zahabi believes it’s simply natural. Dvalishvili’s cardio was on full display when he retained his bantamweight title by rallying to outlast Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

One title defense into his championship reign, and bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili already has a legitimate claim as the division’s all-time

EPO or Genetics? That’s the question surrounding Merab Dvalishvili’s bottomless gas tank inside the Octagon. UFC 311 saw ‘The Machine’ score his first successful defense of the bantamweight title, outworking previously undefeated Dagestani star Umar Nurmagomedov in the evening’s co-main event.

Islam Makhachev weighed 178 pounds the night of his UFC 311 victory Saturday — one day after registering at 154.5 pounds — when he submitted Renato Moicano in the first round, according to data obtained by The Post from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

In a 2017 regional Ring of Combat event, Dvalishvili’s 15-second spinning backfist knockout over former Bellator bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots kickstarted his career and caught the eye of UFC’s Dana White.

UFC Lightweight champion Islam Makachev and UFC Bantamweight champ Merab Dvavishvili Retain Titles in Double-Header Championship Headliner. Check out the full results of UFC 311 on myKhel.com.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia punches Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Off the back of his impressive UFC 311 win, Merab Dvalishvili has confirmed he is open to all comers to his bantamweight crown -- including former-foe, Sean

Merab Dvalishvili has impressed many with his performance at UFC 311 and Henry Cejudo is now calling him the bantamweight GOAT.

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has shared graphic footage of his pre-UFC 311 leg injury.

Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his UFC bantamweight championship against the previously undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.