It’s More Than Just Numbers 🐐
For Merab, he’s defeated a killer’s row of contenders…
With the cardiovascular fitness of a racehorse, the offensive wrestling grind of a bear, and a 13-fight win streak with two successful title defenses, is it time we put Merab Dvalishvili in our GOAT talks?
This past weekend at UFC 316, not only did The Machine defeat Sean O’Malley for the second time, but he did it more convincingly than the first time they clashed when wrapping up a North-South Choke in the third round.
While some would argue that two title defenses place him far from being considered as the greatest of all time (Dominick Cruz has five title defenses), viability for GOAT status doesn’t have strict guidelines. For Merab, he’s defeated a killer’s row of contenders, including UFC fights against four former champions and multiple fighters who’ve also had their names entered into GOAT territory.
The bantamweight GOAT discussion surrounding Merab is more than just numbers, but if we look at this from a statistical standpoint, the Georgian isn’t far from entering elite company.
Crazy to think Merab Dvalishvili started 0-2 in the UFC and now he’s tied for the 4th longest win streak in UFC history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xKNAXMruTK
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 8, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili By the Numbers
The first and possibly the biggest statistical argument for Merab making the GOAT list would be his wins over four former UFC champions – Sean O’Malley (x2), Henry Cejudo, Jose Aldo, and Petr Yan. Not to mention, both Cejudo (a former two-division champion) and Jose Aldo are considered goats in their own right!
Following his UFC 316 victory, Merab just surpassed another GOAT in UFC news, George St. Pierre, for the most takedowns (92 in 14 fights) landed in UFC history.
Regarding current win streaks, Merab tapping O’Malley moved him to 13 straight wins. This is two short of Islam Makhachev (15), the pound-for-pound No.1-ranked fighter on the planet. Said win streak puts Merab at the fourth-longest win streak in UFC history, tied with a list of GOATS including GSP, Max Holloway, Khabib, and Demetrious Johnson.
“Just look at his record.” 👀
Tim Welch believes there is no debate when it comes Merab Dvalishvili’s all-time GOAT status at bantamweight.
Do you agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jPTIa74Vp0
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) May 20, 2025
The Machine: GOAT or Nah?
It’s quite apparent that the argument for Merab being considered as the bantamweight GOAT is valid. I do, however, understand that defending a championship five times, as Dominick Cruz did at 135 lbs, also creates a valid counterargument for the Georgian being the true GOAT.
With that said, Merab’s resume of defeating four former champions consecutively while also holding a 13-fight win streak and snapping multiple records of past GOATs is more than enough to consider him as one of the greats.
And listen, we don’t have to label Merab as the bantamweight GOAT because his accomplishments exceed that. He’s one of the greatest ever to do it, pound for pound.
To be quite frank, if he continues dominating at this rate, which looks possible, Merab Dvalishvili might retire as a top-3 greatest to ever compete in the UFC!
Merab Dvalishvili now holds the joint-fourth-longest win streak in UFC history, tied alongside Max Holloway, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Demetrius Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, and Jon Jones with 14 straight wins #UFC316 👑 pic.twitter.com/5OSmCdUDqX
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 9, 2025
What’s Next for Merab Dvalishvili
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the true GOAT’s of combat sports, or any sport for that matter, should truly be weighed in once they’ve retired.
Why?
Well, legacies can be tarnished, and for Merab specifically, retiring on a losing streak would ultimately damage his GOAT claims. So, instead of arguing over who’s the greatest, which is completely subjective, by the way, we can speculate on the further greatness he might accomplish because he isn’t going anywhere yet!
UFC rumors all point towards Merab making his third title defense versus Cory Sandhagen, despite being a No. 4-ranked opponent, with the Georgian already on his way to clearing the division. The Sandman is one of the only viable options remaining at this point.
In my opinion, Sandhagen, whose fighting style heavily relies on striking at range, reminiscent of O’Malley, has already lost this fight. In my eyes, there is no competition for Merab.
Henry Cejudo believes Merab Dvalishvili should be ranked pound-for-pound No. 1 if he beats Cory Sandhagen.
“He beats Corey Sandhagen, I’m gonna put him at pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world, especially if he gets 4 fights this year.”
🎥: @pound4poundshow pic.twitter.com/gLAfqKaoqo
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 9, 2025
It’s a bold claim, but I already envision Merab with three successful title defenses post-Sandhagen, which puts him two shy of Cruz’s record. With such a hunger to fight multiple times in one year, we might not be far from this GOAT conversation being cemented in favor of The Machine!
