Is Volkanovski vs Merab The Fight Fans Want?
UFC fans continue to hold out hope for a potential fight between Merab Dvalishvili vs. Alexander Volkanovski. Each fighter currently holds a title belt, with Dvalishvili competing in the bantamweight division, while Volkanovski is one weight class up in featherweight.
Could Volkanovski vs Merab Ever Happen?
While Volkanovski and Dvalishvili have never fought each other at a UFC event, the two have gone on record to discuss this potential matchup. The more outspoken party, Dvalishvili, has already stated he does not want to move up in weight to fight Volkanovski.
“I mentioned a couple of times that I don’t want to fight with Alexander Volkanovski because he’s way stronger than me,” the 34-year-old bantamweight champion commented to reporters back in June 2025. “I don’t want to take a big risk.”
Dvalishvili has since won two more fights, improving to 21-4 in his UFC career. “The Machine” is currently riding a massive winning streak, losing his last fight via submission to Ricky Simon at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee in April 2018.
Volkanovski is 2-3 straight up in his last five UFC fights. The 37-year-old featherweight champion just won his last matchup via unanimous decision against Diego Lopes at UFC 314 earlier this spring.
“The Great” is 27-4 as a UFC fighter but has lost three times since UFC 284 in February 2023. However, he does measure 10 pounds heavier than Dvalishvili with a 3.5” longer reach.
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There isn’t any animosity between Dvalishvili and Volkanovski. In fact, the two fighters recorded a cooking vlog together under Volkanovski’s brand, “Cooking with Volk,” which means these two have an amicable relationship.
Volkanovski would likely accept a fight against Dvalishvili. However, the bantamweight champion would have to change his stance on this offer, which Dvalishvili previously shot down based on their differing size and budding friendship.
A fight between these two would rake in money for Dana White and the UFC. Dvalishvili is undoubtedly in his prime right now, but he feels more comfortable fighting opponents with his current 135-pound frame.
Therefore, the only realistic way that a UFC fight between Dvalishvili and Volkanovski goes down is if “The Great” opts to cut 10 pounds and drop into bantamweight. Unfortunately, Volkanovski has never moved down from featherweight; he’s only gained weight to fight up against lightweight divisional opponents.
Volkanovski is out of his prime, based on his inability to string consistent winning streaks together like he did earlier in his fighting career. Despite this reality, Dvalishvili moving up a weight class to fight Volkanovski in the octagon is unlikely at this juncture.
