Merab Dvalishvili is synonymous with activity. The former UFC bantamweight champion has made a name for himself not only for his championship status, and impressive resume, but also his busy schedule.
Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC), who won MMA Junkie’s 2025 Fighter of the Year, attempted four title defenses in 2025 – an unprecedented number in the modern era. Dvalishvili successfully defended three times, but fell short in his record-setting try with a unanimous decision loss to Petr Yan (20-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the main event of UFC 323 in December.
Advertisement
Many attributed the defeat to Yan’s adjustments for the rematch, but others factored in the wear and tear. The four weight cuts and four training camps Dvalishvili went through in his pursuit for his record-breaking title run create questions.
Michael Bisping, a former UFC champion and Hall of Famer turned commentator, would like to see Dvalishvili change things up for 2026, and work a little less hard.
“I think if Merab takes some time off, maybe six months off, let Yan fight Umar Nurmagomedov, and then come back and fight the winner,” Bisping said on the “JAXXON PODCAST.” “Taking 6 months away, enjoying the spoils of his riches, enjoying his hard work, go to Georgia, spend time with family, eat some food, just think about nothing else but fighting, don’t even think about fighting.”
Dvalishvili, 34, holds the record, along with his teammate Aljamain Sterling, for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC bantamweight history at three.
Advertisement
Dvalishvili said he’s been promised an immediate trilogy bout with Yan after going 1-1 in their series. There are also other contender bouts scheduled with Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo and Sean O’Malley vs. Sean O’Malley, both of which takes place Jan. 24 at UFC 324 in Las Vegas (Paramount+).
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Bisping: Merab Dvalishvili should take six-month UFC hiatus
