John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili set for UFC 252
The UFC’s next big pay-per-view card has added a top-15 bantamweight matchup.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that John Dodson will take on Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 252. The event takes place Aug. 15 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
MMA Junkie was first to report the booking.
Dodson recently signed a new five-fight deal with the UFC and looks to build upon a third-round TKO win of Nathaniel Wood at UFC Rio Rancho in February. The two-time flyweight title challenger holds notable wins over T.J. Dillashaw, Pedro Munhoz and Eddie Wineland during his nine-year run with the company, which began with winning season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Dvalishvili entered the top-15 earlier this week following four consecutive victories. In his most recent appearance, “The Machine” picked up a unanimous decision win over short-notice replacement opponent Gustavo Lopez at UFC on ESPN 10. The Georgian fighter also holds promotional wins over Terrion Ware, Brad Katona and Casey Kenney.
UFC 252 will be headlined by the highly anticipated trilogy fight for the heavyweight championship between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.