Merab Dvalishvili did not end the year on a high note, but he has accomplished more than enough in 2025 to be nominated as Fighter of the Year. At Low Kick MMA, he earned the honor through a staff and writers’ vote, reflecting the impact of his performances throughout the year.
Dvalishvili became the 135-pound kingpin by dethroning Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, and in 2025, at UFC 311, for the first defense of the championship, Dvalishvili took on Umar Nurmagomedov.
After five rounds, the bout went to the judges’ scorecard, and ‘The Machine’ cruised to a unanimous decision victory.