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Count UFC reporter Megan Olivi among those eager to see a rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov.
The first encounter between Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA, 14-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (19-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), which was the first title bout of 2025 at UFC 311 in January, remains a Fight of the Year candidate. Dvalishvili won a unanimous decision by scorecards of 48-47, 49-46 and 48-47, but it was competitive, and Nurmagomedov revealed afterward that he suffered a broken hand in the second round.
Much tension existed between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov carried into that fight, and it hasn’t slowed down since. The champion has said he would “destroy” Nurmagomedov in a potential rematch, and Nurmagomedov recently told MMA Junkie he is keen for “revenge” on his only loss.
After Nurmagomedov got a big rebound win over Mario Bautista at UFC 321, and Dvalishvili set as a heavy favorite in a title defense rematch vs. Petr Yan at UFC 323 on Dec. 6, there is traction toward a sequel, and Olivi wants to see it.
“I would love to see that fight again,” Olivi told MMA Junkie. “Unpopular opinion: I thought it was kind of close. I thought it was far more competitive than maybe a lot of people make it sound in their assessment about it when they speak about it. I would love to see the fight again, and I do think (Nurmagomedov) did enough (with his win over Bautista).”
The UFC bantamweight division was considered the most stacked weight class in the sport not long ago. Dvalishvili has made the depth look lesser with his dominant run, and at UFC 323 he will attempt to become the first champion in company history to defend four times in a calendar year.
Dvalishvili is now at the point where almost all of his potential matchups are rematches, but that might change if he gets through Yan in December and Nurmagomedov in early 2026.
Olivi doesn’t rule out the chance of Dvalishvili being dethroned in one of those rematches, but if not, she is excited by the possibility of a first-time contenders like Song Yadong, Aiemann Zahabi and more getting a chance, too.
“In 2026 I would like to see some of the younger talent at bantamweight climb those ranks and get those shots,” Olivi said. “It was a red-hot division for such a long time and so many talented opportunities who have got title shots or got close to the title that deserve to get there again, but I would also love to see some of those younger guys come up.”
To hear more from Olivi, check out her complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
