{"id":208743,"date":"2025-10-13T01:47:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T01:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/208743\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T01:47:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T01:47:06","slug":"merab-dvalishvili-drops-warning-to-ufc-star-ex-flyweight-champ-for-ufc-title-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/208743\/","title":{"rendered":"Merab Dvalishvili drops warning to UFC star, ex-flyweight champ for UFC title fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili was watching UFC Rio intently Saturday night,<\/a> exactly one week after defending his title in the co-main event of UFC 320 against Cory Sandhagen.<\/p>\n

The co-main event of UFC Rio saw flyweight-turned-bantamweight Deiveson Figueiredo secure a split decision victory over Montel Jackson in a bounce-back effort after suffering a fight-ending injury in May against Sandhagen (15-6 MMA) at UFC Des Moines in the night’s main event.<\/p>\n

Although the judges nearly gave the fight to Jackson (15-3 MMA), it was enough for Figueiredo (25-5-1 MMA) to comment on how a fight between him and Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA) would do wonders in his quest to join a rare list of fighters who have won titles in multiple divisions.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:Charles Oliveira targets huge UFC rematch in plea to UFC brass to ‘make that happen’<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Merab<\/p>\n

Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) reacts after defeating Sean O\u2019Malley (not pictured) in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images \/ Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to fight with Merab [Dvalishvili] but know I have to work very hard to get there,\u201d Figueiredo said via translation in the Octagon.<\/p>\n

The call-out of Dvalishvili was enough to get his attention, as he took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts.<\/p>\n

Congratulations @DDeusdaguerra<\/a> ! Great performance against a top opponent! I\u2019m waiting for you \ud83d\udc40\ud83e\uddbe #UFCRIo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Merab \u201cThe Machine\u201d Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

“Congratulations,” Dvalishvili posted while incorrectly tagging Figueiredo. “Great performance against a top opponent! I\u2019m waiting for you.”<\/p>\n

Figueiredo told MMAFighting<\/a> ahead of the fight that he had been targeting a title shot against Dvalishvili for quite a bit while, suggesting the Georgian had done enough to clean out the rest of the division.<\/p>\n

\"UFC<\/p>\n

(Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll definitely ask for a title shot \u2014 especially because, among the big names in the division, I\u2019m the only one who hasn\u2019t fought Merab yet. I hope I get that opportunity. \u2026 If I go in there and deliver a great performance, that could get me a title shot. That\u2019s what I\u2019m after.\u201d<\/p>\n

Figueiredo says Dvalishvili has looked good as of late since becoming champion, but ultimately says he wants Dvalishvili to demonstrate fighting someone with a resume as extensive as his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an excellent fight [between Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen],\u201d Figueiredo said. \u201cIt\u2019s the same style as always \u2014 he mixes things up, sometimes striking, sometimes taking you down. It\u2019s similar to my style. He\u2019s got great cardio, but I can train for that too, just like I always have. People know I can go five rounds without getting tired. Even at my age, I still have the gas tank to face him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Figueiredo has won four of his last six since Dec. 2023 and enjoyed multiple stints as the UFC’s flyweight champion before switching divisions in what is likely the final stretch of his career.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0UFC star breaks silence after suffering heartbreaking loss in epic UFC 320 fight<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Undefeated MMA fighter delivers 15-second KO in front of UFC’s Dana White<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0UFC’s Dana White makes bold claim about Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight GOAT status<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0UFC champion praises “living legend” Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 320 title defense<\/a><\/p>\n

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