‘Wild’ Merab Dvalishvili Reveals Reason for Turning Down Surgery Option After Breaking Nose

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili faces a major nose injury that requires him to undergo surgery.

‘Wild’ Merab Dvalishvili Reveals Reason for Turning Down Surgery Option After Breaking Nose

Merab Dvalishvili nose injury (via CBS Sports)

In Short
  • Merab Dvalishvili broke his nose during sparring and has opted against surgery due to a lengthy recovery time.
  • He plans to delay any surgical procedure until after retirement, which he does not expect for another 20 years.
  • Dvalishvili remains focused on his health and is preparing for a fight against Henry Cejudo at RAF 08.

Merab Dvalishvili looked set for a historic run after a dream 2025 campaign, having captured the bantamweight title at UFC 306. The Georgian entered UFC 323 aiming to defend his belt for the fourth time in a single year. However, that bid fell short as Petr Yan’s striking overwhelmed him. Since then, he has remained relatively quiet on social media, though he recently shared an update on his nose injury.

Dvalishvili was widely regarded as one of the most dominant champions in the UFC last year, with his style raising questions about who at 135 pounds could realistically beat him. In 2025 alone, he secured wins over Umar Nurmagomedov, Cory Sandhagen, and Sean O’Malley. During that stretch, he also set a record by surpassing 100 takedowns in UFC history, further cementing his dominance in the division.

Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout Dvalishvili’s run in the UFC, though he has often downplayed their impact and continued competing. The Georgian star has built a reputation for taking damage lightly, even in physically demanding bouts. He recently revealed that he first suffered a broken nose during his professional debut, an issue that has now resurfaced following a recent sparring session.

What a good day and what a stupid accident. When I touch, my bones are broken inside, and one side I can’t even breathe. I’m gonna do X-ray now. I’m sure UFC will help me with that, even though I don’t have a fight coming up. I’m gonna try to do surgery to fix this nose, and let’s see how it goes. First time when I broke my nose, it was in professional debut. Now, it was just sparring. I got kneed. I just saw doctor, nose surgeon, and he said if he will fix my nose and then make straight, then he has to re-break other bones too, and it will take one more year to heal up. Of course, I don’t want to do that.

Merab Dvalishvili via Instagram

Dvalishvili also revealed that doctors have advised he could be sidelined for up to a year if he opts for surgery to fully properly fix the damage. However, he indicated that he plans to delay the procedure until after retirement, stating he does not expect to retire for another 20 years. The ‘Machine’ also made lighthearted remarks about the situation, joking that his nose is now even more crooked than before.

This was not the first time Dvalishvili downplayed an injury, as he has often competed through notable physical setbacks in his career. Ahead of UFC 316 against Sean O’Malley, he hid what was later revealed to be a broken pinkie toe with potential long-term implications. He also entered his UFC 311 title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in January 2025 while concealing a significant cut on his leg.

Looking ahead, it remains crucial for Merab Dvalishvili to prioritize his health moving forward in his career. At 35 years old, he has maintained a consistently high level of activity compared to most others in his division. He is now preparing to face former rival Henry Cejudo at RAF 08, marking his promotional debut. How he carefully manages his recovery will shape the next phase of his career.

Merab Dvalishvili has no regrets looking back at his 2025 title run

When Merab Dvalishvili delivered a dominant title defense over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, commentator Joe Rogan was left questioning who could overcome the Georgian’s relentless control inside the octagon. That question was answered at UFC 323, where Petr Yan entered with a refined game plan and effectively neutralized Dvalishvili’s pressure and avenged his 2023 loss through superior striking.

Merab Dvalishvili talks about his weight gain for UFC 323
Merab Dvalishvili talks about his weight gain for UFC 323 (via Instagram)

Before his bout with Sandhagen at UFC 320, Merab Dvalishvili faced criticism for low-action performances due to his reliance on wrestling and grappling. However, he chose to engage more on the feet, trading strikes and showing a different dimension to his game. He was recently asked whether defending his title four times in a year had taken a toll on him and whether he had any regrets, which led to his response.

No, I don’t regret anything. This is who I am, I like to take risks, I like to take challenges, and it was a challenge for me. I know that Petr was a tough opponent for me, and I know what it will take to beat him in a rematch.

Merab Dvalishvili told Ariel Helwani

Merab Dvalishvili is undoubtedly next in line for a trilogy bout against Petr Yan, setting the stage for what could be the final championship fight of his career. It remains to be seen whether he can carry the mindset he emphasized in his recent comments into the octagon. The potential upcoming matchup will test both his skills and mental resilience, potentially defining the closing chapter of what could be his final title fight.

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