Merab Dvalishvili moved one step closer to the UFC title – even if he’s not interested in it right now.
Saturday at UFC 278, Dvalishvili (15-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) defeated former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (31-8 MMA, 13-7 UFC) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The bantamweight bout was part the main card at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
Aldo entered to a massive pop from the Utah crowd, which gave him a big ovation at every point possible. With audible support, Aldo started strong with a few leg kicks. His signature takedown defense was tested early, as Dvalishvili shot – as many expected him to, given his takedown prowess.
Dvalishvili struggled to get Aldo to the canvas. Despite repeated attempts, he had no significant success. Aldo’s counters, range and kicks were strong and heavy in Round 1.
In Round 2, Dvalishvili held control in the clinch along the cage for long durations of time. Aldo complained, and even made a yawning motion at one point. Upon each separation by Aldo, Dvalisvhili would return the fight to the same spot.
Having neutralized much of Aldo’s offense in Round 2, Dvalishvili returned to the same gameplan in Round 3. There was much more cage-pushing, much to the dismay of the crowd. As he sucked the energy out of the arena, he also sucked energy out of Aldo, who noticeably slowed.
Aldo is not impressed by Merab's performance🥱 #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/89onWtPs7l
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
Boos rained down upon the final bell. Shortly more after, they returned with the official decision. Dvalishvili and his corner of UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, former welterweight champion Matt Serra, and coach Ray Longo were elated. Meanwhile, Aldo crashed to the canvas in disagreement before he shared a moment of respect with Dvalishvili who came over to console him.
Dvalishvili then told UFC commentator Joe Rogan during the in-cage interview that he won’t ever fight Sterling, as the two are great friends.
🗣 BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!!
Make that 7 straight victories for @MerabDvalishvil! #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/Yek3JhiCBt
— UFC (@ufc) August 21, 2022
With the victory, Dvalishvili extends his winning streak to eight. The stretch also includes wins over the likes of Marlon Moraes, Cody Stamann, and John Dodson among others. After Saturday, Dvalishvili could be knocking on the doorstep of his
As for Aldo, the defeat snaps a three-fight losing skid and brings him to 3-3 as a bantamweight in the UFC. Aldo, 35, is widely considered one of, if not the, greatest featherweights of all time.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 278 results include:
- Merab Dvalishvili def. Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Lucie Pudilova def. Wu Yanan via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:04
- Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (front kick, punches) – Round 1, 1:05
- Marcin Tybura def. Alexandr Romanov via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
- Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Luis Saldana vs. Sean Woodson declared split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)
- Ange Loosa def. A.J. Fletcher via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Amir Albazi def. Francisco Figueiredo via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:34
- Aori Qileng def. Jay Perrin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Victor Altamirano def. Daniel Da Silva via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:39
