In a testament to his relentless pressure and championship pedigree, Merab Dvalishvili has been honored with the title of 2025 ESPY Fighter of the Year. The prestigious award, announced during the recent UFC Nashville broadcast on ESPN, recognizes Dvalishvili`s exceptional run in the highly competitive men`s bantamweight division.
Unlike many year-end accolades that adhere strictly to a calendar year, the ESPY award utilizes a specific performance window. For the 2025 honor, this period spanned from July 1, 2024, through June 20, 2025. It was within this precise timeframe that “The Machine” solidified his status at the absolute top of the sport.
Dvalishvili`s campaign during this award cycle was defined by a series of high-stakes technical masterclasses. He successfully navigated and conquered challenges that led to, and defended, his claim as the bantamweight kingpin. His notable performances within this period included securing the divisional title by defeating Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. Following this monumental win, he demonstrated his defensive capabilities by successfully defending the belt against the undefeated threat of Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.
Capping off his dominant run within the qualifying period, Dvalishvili met O`Malley once more in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 316 in June. In a clear demonstration of his evolving skill set, Dvalishvili secured a decisive victory, notably finishing the fight via submission – a rare feat against a fighter of O`Malley`s caliber.
This consistent performance against top-tier opposition within the defined award window set Dvalishvili apart. The specific cutoff date meant that other significant mixed martial arts achievements just outside this range, such as Ilia Topuria`s lightweight title victory over Charles Oliveira, were not considered for this particular ESPY honor.
Dvalishvili was chosen from a strong lineup of fellow nominees, all of whom had remarkable periods of performance. The other finalists for the 2025 ESPY Fighter of the Year award included UFC Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, Women’s Bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, and former Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Receiving the ESPY award is a significant recognition of Dvalishvili`s sustained excellence and impact over the past year. It highlights not just his physical dominance, but also his technical execution and strategic approach that have made him a seemingly unstoppable force in the bantamweight division.
