Merab Dvalishvili Reveals The Real Reason He’s Not Moving Up In Weight Anytime Soon
Fans and many MMA stars are already considering Merab Dvalishvili as Fighter of the Year for his performance in 2025. He’s already defended his title three times and is ready for his fourth title defense. Many also believe he should move up in weight class for a second belt, but Dvalishvili denies that plan.
The Georgian fighter is defending his title against Petr Yan at UFC 323. Recently on BYM Pod, they asked him about moving to featherweight. Talking about the decision, ‘The Machine’ says even if he moves up in weight, he won’t fight Alexander Volkanovski because he has too much respect for him. In the recent interview, the bantamweight champion said:
“Right now, I’m good where I am. Number one, I have so much respect and love for Alexander Volkanovski — I could never challenge him. Second, I have a tough opponent, and I want to focus on my weight class. But I still don’t want to fight Alexander Volkanovski.”
Merab Dvalishvili says even if he moves up in weight, he won’t fight Alexander Volkanovski 🫂🤝
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 4, 2025
"Right now, I’m good where I am. Number one, I have so much respect and love for Alexander Volkanovski — I could never challenge him. Second, I have a tough opponent and I want to… pic.twitter.com/MrVRdh7SBX
Dvalishvili says if he feels he doesn’t have any tough opponents left in his weight class, then he might plan to move up. However, despite this, he still won’t face Volkanovski. But if ‘The Great’ retires, will ‘The Machine’ fight at featherweight? Time will tell.
Ilia Topuria Believes Merab Dvalishvili Could Dominate Another Division
The whole MMA community is praising Merab Dvalishvili for his back-to-back title defenses. Fans claim he’s a bantamweight GOAT. Many believe he needs to move up in the division for more challenges. However, his close friend and UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is urging Dvalishvili to move up in weight and get another belt. In a recent interview with BetssonSport, Topuria said:
“I’ve already told Merab that he needs to change weight classes because he 100% has a chance to win a second belt. As for a fight against Volkanovski, I have no doubts on what happens in that fight. I know that it ends with Merab winning.”
Ilia Topuria says he told Merab to move up and fight Volk 👀
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 17, 2025
“I’ve already told Merab that he needs to change weight classes because he 100% has a chance to win a second belt.
As for a fight against Volkanovski, I have no doubts on what happens in that fight. I know that it… pic.twitter.com/t37qE9lUsC
Topuria mentioned that if the bantamweight champion fights Alexander Volkanovski, there’s a high possibility of him winning. However, the Georgian fighter is defending his title against Petr Yan, and his focus is solely on this fight.
Merab Dvalishvili Reveals The Real Reason He’s Not Moving Up In Weight Anytime Soon
News Daily Reports
No comments: