Merab Dvalishvili’s Next Bantamweight Test: Who Will It Be?

Merab Dvalishvili continued his legacy in the Bantamweight Division at UFC 316, submitting Sean O’Malley in a stunning performance to secure his second title defense. It marked the first time anyone had submitted O’Malley in the octagon and gave Merab his first finish in four years. With a newly refined submission arsenal and ever-improving striking, the sky's the limit for the Georgian contender. The question now is — who will be brave enough to face Merab next in the Bantamweight Division?

Cory Sandhagen

The first name that comes to mind is Cory Sandhagen. One of the few top contenders Merab hasn’t faced, Sandhagen, has long awaited his shot at a title matchup. Like O’Malley, Cory presents a long, rangy build, but with a more well-rounded MMA style, often mixing in his grappling alongside sharp striking. He’s coming off an impressive win against Deiveson Figueiredo and has built one of the strongest resumes in the division. While Sandhagen’s striking may not carry the one-shot knockout threat of O’Malley, his ability to mix it up in every area of a fight makes him a compelling test. Against Merab, however, he would need to seriously hone his defensive grappling, because once Merab gets his hands on you, it’s a long night.

Umar Nurmagomedov

Another option is Umar Nurmagomedov. At the UFC 316 post-fight press conference, Dana White hinted that a rematch between Umar and Merab would be an intriguing fight to book. The two previously met at UFC 311, where Merab edged out a unanimous decision win in a close, competitive bout. Umar started strong, taking the early rounds, but ultimately faded as Merab’s relentless pace wore him down. A highly skilled grappler with excellent kickboxing, Umar remains one of the most dangerous rising names in the division. That said, a rematch may be a little soon for him, as he hasn’t fought since their last meeting and might benefit from another bout to rebuild momentum. If Umar wants to even the score, conditioning will be key — he’ll need to find a way to keep up with Merab’s cardio machine for five full rounds.

Conclusion

Right now, the options for Merab Dvalishvili in the Bantamweight Division are limited. He’s cleaned out most of the top contenders and left little doubt about his dominance. If a matchup with Cory Sandhagen happens and Merab emerges victorious, a move to Featherweight could be on the horizon, where fresh challenges and elite competition await. No matter what’s next, one thing is clear: Merab is on one of the greatest runs in UFC history. With each fight, he gets closer to cementing his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.