Michael Bisping Urges Six-Month Layoff for Merab Dvalishvili as Bantamweight Picture Resets

Overview

• Bisping recommended on the JAXXON PODCAST that Dvalishvili pause for roughly six months, with Petr Yan facing Umar Nurmagomedov first and the winner meeting Dvalishvili next.
• Dvalishvili defended the bantamweight belt at UFC 311, UFC 316, and UFC 320 before dropping a unanimous decision to Yan at UFC 323 in December.
• The 2025 run featured an unprecedented attempt at four defenses in a single year and tied Dvalishvili with Aljamain Sterling for the division’s longest defense streak at three.
• Dvalishvili has said he was promised an immediate trilogy with Yan, though no bout has been officially scheduled.
• Umar Nurmagomedov is booked to fight Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas, a result that could influence the timing and order of bantamweight title matchups.