UFC promotes Merab Dvalishvili to third in ranking in “historic” result for Georgian wrestlers

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has promoted Georgian mixed martial artist Merab Dvalishvili to top three in its bantamweight ranking, in a first-ever result for a Georgian athlete.

The move comes after 31-year-old defeated Brazilian Jose Aldo in the UFC 278 tournament in Salt Lake City, United States on Saturday. The three-hour bout saw Dvalishvili defeat the opponent on points.

With the latest win, Dvalishvili has moved up three spots in the UFC ranking and reached the third position - a historic result among Georgian fighters. 

Dvalishvili grew up in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi and originally trained in Georgian traditional wrestling as well as Sambo and Judo. Following his move to the US he became a professional MMA fighter.