Merab Dvalishvili has excluded itself when ranking the top 3 pound-for-pound hunters in the UFC.
The pound-for-pound conversation of the UFC was not what it was a year or two ago, with newer champions such as Ilia Topuria, Dricus du Plessis and Dvalishvili on top of the ranking, just behind the #1 Seed Islam Makhachev.
However, not everyone agrees with the pound-for-pound rankings-certain not flying weight champion Alexandre Pantoja, who was ranked on #9 for his fourth successful defending defense against Kai Kara-France on UFC 317.
The champion no longer after leaving his belt, Makhachev still holds on to the #1 place, while the new lightweight champion Topuria is on #2 and Dvalishvili #3 is in the ranking.
If Dvalishvili had it in his own way, the pound-for-pound rankings would look drastically different.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Merab Dvalishvili ranks Ilia Topuria as Pound-For-Pond best hunter in UFC
Despite the fact that he has 6 victories over former world champions and has not lost in seven years, Dvalishvili does not consider himself best as the pound-for-pound.
When asked about his personal rankings, DvalishHvili should go with his Georgian teammate Topuria after his second title win last weekend.
Topuria finished former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a few minutes at UFC 317, and before that he chose Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back-to-back title fights at spring weight.
“At the moment I will say Ilia. Number one,” said Dvalishhvili at the show of Ariel Helwani.
“Who does this? I mean, he is unbeaten and how he wins the last three fights and [he’s a] Two division champions.
In the same interview, Dvalishvili said that he had to stop sparring with Topuria because of his power.
“Number two, Islam,” DvalishVili continued.
“I will say number three, pantoja …”
“You are too modest,” Ariel Helwani responded to Dvalishvili who left himself out of the top 3.
“Number four is good,” replied Dvalishvili.
'I have to be [humble] Because I don't want to overlook my opponents. “
Merab gives us its current P4P rankings:
1. Ilia Topuria2. Islam Makhachev3. Alexandre Pantoja4. Merab dvalishvili
What a legend, this guy. pic.twitter.com/npismlrfrd
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) 30 June 2025
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“So much respect for him because he is honest! That is the exact order I have it in,” wrote a fan on X.
“This is actually the right list. I had Merab on 3, but if he says that Pantoja is that, then that is what it is,” said another fan about the dvalishvili ranking.
Merab Dvalishvili says the UFC will let him choose the next fight
Speaking of opponents, Dvalishvili apparently gets 'Dibs' on his third consecutive defending defense.
Dvalishvili has twice defended his title against people such as Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O'Malley and is already considered one of the greatest Bantam weights of all time. 'The Machine' will look to fight closer to October and November, he told Ariel Helwani.
Dvalishvili is currently looking at #4-ranged competitor Cory Sandhagen for his next fight, one that he gets.
“This is the first time that the UFC called me,” Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie.
“When I was in Georgia and said:” Go enjoy your country, have a great time, and when you come to Las Vegas, let's eat and choose who you want to fight with and when you want to fight “…
“This is the first time (it happened),” said Dvalishvili, adding Sandhagen is the 'most deserving' to fight against him.
Sandhagen has won four of his last five fights and his last victory is a second round TKO of former two -time flight weight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in May.