Merab Dvalishvili, the undisputed king of the UFC`s bantamweight division, has added a prestigious accolade to his rapidly growing list of achievements: the 2025 ESPY award for Fighter of the Year.
Unlike awards tied strictly to a calendar year, the ESPY`s timeframe for this honor specifically evaluated performances from July 1, 2024, through June 20, 2025. It was within this precise 12-month period that “The Machine” truly cemented his dominance, delivering a series of high-stakes victories that resonated with voters.
Dvalishvili`s remarkable run began by capturing the bantamweight title from then-champion Sean O`Malley at UFC 306 in a performance that showcased his relentless pace and grappling prowess. He didn`t rest on his laurels, swiftly following up with a successful title defense against the highly regarded contender Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, further demonstrating his ability to handle diverse threats.
To cap off this incredible period, Dvalishvili faced O`Malley once more in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 316 in June. Proving his previous win was no fluke, he secured a decisive submission victory over the former champion, a finish rarely seen against an opponent of O`Malley`s caliber. Three championship victories within the specific award window presented a compelling case.
While the field of nominees was strong, featuring other top fighters like Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, Women`s Bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, and former Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the sheer volume and significance of Dvalishvili`s championship wins within the defined ESPY timeframe seemingly set him apart. One could almost speculate the selection committee drew the timeline specifically to capture Merab`s golden stretch.
The announcement, made during the UFC Nashville broadcast on ESPN, highlights Dvalishvili`s evolution from a high-pressure prospect to a dominant, reigning champion. Winning the ESPY solidifies his status as one of the sport`s most effective and exciting competitors during this particular award period, a fitting recognition for a year spent at the very pinnacle of his division.
