Merab Dvalishvili: The New Bantamweight Goat?
Last night’s highly anticipated rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley gave a clear answer to months of speculation and raised even bigger questions. In his second title defense as the reigning Bantamweight Champion, Merab once again showed why he is one of the most relentless fighters in the sport. After two rounds of nonstop pressure, sharp grappling, and tactical striking, the Georgian standout secured a third-round submission win over O’Malley. With back-to-back victories against a former champion and another dominant showing in his title reign, the focus has shifted. The question now is whether Merab Dvalishvili has earned the right to be called the greatest Bantamweight of all time?
Merab Dvalishvili’s resume is beginning to rival the all-time greats. Holding a professional record of 20 wins and four losses, with a 13-2 mark inside the UFC, Merab’s trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. His only two defeats came in his first two Octagon appearances, meaning he now rides a 13-fight win streak that includes some of the toughest names the Bantamweight Division has ever seen. He has successfully defended his title twice, both times against dominant and dangerous opponents. Known for his relentless pace and suffocating pressure, Merab has claimed victories over former champions and elite contenders, including Marlon Moraes, Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, Sean O’Malley, and Umar Nurmagomedov. As the rest of the division scrambles to catch up, it is hard to identify a single fighter with the tools to halt his momentum. At this point, it seems more likely that Merab walks away from the sport on his own terms rather than being dethroned.
When discussing the greatest Bantamweight of all time, two names often stand out: Aljamain Sterling and Dominick Cruz. Sterling had an impressive career with three title defenses against elite fighters such as Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo. However, Merab Dvalishvili defeated both Yan and Cejudo more convincingly and had a longer, more difficult path to the Bantamweight title. Dominick Cruz was dominant in the WEC and defended his UFC title against fighters like Demetrious Johnson, Urijah Faber, and Dillashaw. Yet, the level of competition Merab has faced, including Jose Aldo and Umar Nurmagomedov, is stronger and more well-rounded. Despite Cruz’s injuries holding him back, Merab’s resume is deeper and more dominant, putting him ahead in the GOAT conversation.
It may seem like this question requires a longer debate given its difficulty, but after careful research, the answer is clear. Merab Dvalishvili is the Bantamweight GOAT and by a fair margin. He faced a tough road to the title, has dominated great competition, and uses a style that is extremely difficult to compete against. Merab is truly one of a kind. Submitting a fighter like Sean O’Malley would seem impossible for fighters like Aljamain Sterling or Dominick Cruz, yet Merab did it with relative ease. Fans can expect a few more title defenses and an even stronger case for Merab as the greatest Bantamweight of all time.
