Following a series of impressive performances, Merab Dvalishvili is being discussed as a potential high-ranking contender in the UFC`s pound-for-pound rankings. His dominant showing has certainly put him in the conversation.
Having patiently built his career in the competitive bantamweight division, Dvalishvili, known as `The Machine`, is capitalizing on his opportunities to establish a significant legacy.
His consistent victories position him among the elite, fueling discussions about his potential standing in the division’s history.
Amidst his ascent, a prominent figure and former champion from the weight class has weighed in on Dvalishvili`s pound-for-pound prospects.
Henry Cejudo Believes Merab Dvalishvili is on the Cusp of P4P Supremacy
That figure is Henry Cejudo, `Triple C`, a former two-division champion and current bantamweight contender. Cejudo is intimately familiar with Dvalishvili`s skills, having faced him directly in the Octagon. Dvalishvili secured a clear victory over Cejudo at UFC 298 in February 2024, a performance that earned him a title shot opportunity.
Witnessing his former opponent extend his impressive winning streak, which now stands at thirteen consecutive victories, Cejudo expressed his conviction that Merab Dvalishvili is just one more win away from being considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, potentially leapfrogging current top-ranked fighters like Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones.
Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, Cejudo asserted, “If he beats Cory Sandhagen in this fight, Yes. I’m gonna put him [as] pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world, dude, one hundred percent.” He added, acknowledging Dvalishvili`s active schedule, “Think about it… you can’t deny it… Especially if he gets four fights this year, bro. I’m a hater but I also recognize [greatness].”
Merab Dvalishvili`s Current Position in the UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings
Ahead of recent updates, Dvalishvili was positioned at No. 4 on the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings list.
Islam Makhachev currently holds the top spot, having solidified his position above Jon Jones following his win at UFC 311. Jon Jones is ranked No. 2. The third position is occupied by Dvalishvili`s fellow Georgian fighter, Ilia Topuria.
| Ranking | Name | Champion | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islam Makhachev | Yes | Lightweight |
| 2 | Jon Jones | Yes | Heavyweight |
| 3 | Ilia Topuria | No | Featherweight |
| 4 | Merab Dvalishvili | Yes | Bantamweight |
| 5 | Dricus du Plessis | Yes | Middleweight |
| 6 | Magomed Ankalaev | Yes | Light Heavyweight |
| 7 | Alexander Volkanovski | Yes | Featherweight |
| 8 | Alex Pereira | No | Light Heavyweight |
| 9 | Jack Della Maddalena | Yes | Welterweight |
| 10 | Alexandre Pantoja | Yes | Flyweight |
| 11 | Tom Aspinall | Yes | Heavyweight |
| 12 | Max Holloway | No | Featherweight/Lightweight |
| 13 | Belal Muhammad | No | Welterweight |
| 14 | Sean O’Malley | No | Bantamweight |
| 15 | Charles Oliveira | No | Lightweight |
Other upcoming fights could also influence the rankings. Ilia Topuria is scheduled for a significant bout mentioned as a fight for a vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28. (Note: Topuria is the current Featherweight champion.)
Furthermore, Dricus du Plessis, who sits in the top five, is slated to defend his middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August, a matchup that could further alter the landscape of the top pound-for-pound fighters.
