Merab Dvalishvili Plans Fourth UFC Title Defense 2025

Merab Dvalishvili, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion, is aiming to defend his title four times in 2025, an ambitious feat that would match his personal record. Having already secured two title defenses this year, including victories over Sean O'Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov, he is set to face Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 and is confident in his ability to win. Beyond this fight, Dvalishvili has expressed a strong desire for a quick turnaround to potentially face former champion Petr Yan in November or December, believing Yan deserves another title shot after his recent winning streak. Dvalishvili's determination to remain highly active contrasts with the usual pace of UFC champions, and he has even discussed plans to continue fighting until age 50, acknowledging the challenge such longevity entails. His confidence and strategic mindset were evident in interviews, where he also alluded to training possibilities with Conor McGregor after his upcoming bouts. This pursuit of multiple defenses in a year underscores Dvalishvili's intent to build a lasting legacy in one of the UFC's toughest divisions.