Merab Dvalishvili says a RAF 12 UFC-title win could set up superfights at featherweight range

Merab Dvalishvili is talking like a man who has already started planning beyond his next UFC step. Ahead of his fight this Saturday, the bantamweight contender told reporters he wants to capitalize on a potential title or belt-winning moment by pursuing “superfights” in the months that follow, and he also floated the idea that he can compete at 155 pounds. The remarks, reported by Yahoo Sports, connect his immediate on-ramp to a larger legacy goal that extends past one opponent and one division.

Dvalishvili’s pitch relies on a central feature of his MMA identity: sustained pressure. Even when opponents land or change levels, the forward-moving pace, wrestling-heavy threat, and relentless top control are designed to wear down opponents late. In the Yahoo report, that “engine” is presented as the foundation for why he believes a broader range of matchups is realistic if he gets the belt at hand.

The “two-belt” framing matters because Dvalishvili is not describing a single, isolated challenge. In the same coverage, he positions the potential to close out 2026 as a two-sport champion, tying future fights to a longer calendar and a chance to move through the UFC’s hierarchy at multiple weight classes. He also emphasized comfort fighting at 155, suggesting he views featherweight as a reachable target rather than a purely theoretical move.

There is also a clear, near-term throughline to the division rivalry storylines that define the UFC’s title ecosystem. The Yahoo Sports page that carried the comments includes the context that Dvalishvili and Petr Yan are expected to settle their rivalry on Oct. 24 at UFC 333. That date is not a detour from the belt picture. Instead, it reinforces that, win or lose, Dvalishvili’s next chapter is likely to be built around recognizable, high-stakes matchups that can elevate his standing within the sport.

At the same time, Dvalishvili’s broader ambitions come with obvious caveats. Superfights and multi-belt timelines in the UFC are never guaranteed, because they depend on titleholder logic, division depth, and matchmaking that can shift quickly with outcomes. What can be said from the reported comments is that Dvalishvili intends to use momentum, not just results, as leverage. If he becomes the belt holder that he is setting up for this weekend, his stated willingness to go after fights at different weights could influence how the UFC shapes contenders and championship-level matchups.

For fans, the next watchpoint is straightforward: whether Dvalishvili’s pressure style translates cleanly in the fight this Saturday, and whether the UFC’s immediate title picture evolves in a way that matches his vision. If his team believes he can credibly operate at 155 as well as bantamweight, the matchups that follow could become the defining storyline of his year. If not, the UFC will likely route him back into the same high-frequency championship ladder that has fueled his career.