Dvalishvili & Van: UFC’s 2025 Champions Defined by Relentless Activity
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A remarkable year in the UFC saw two fighters – Merab Dvalishvili and Joshua Van – rise to championship glory through sheer volume of competition and undeniable skill. Dvalishvili,in particular,etched his name into the record books,while Van’s ascent was nothing short of meteoric.
Dvalishvili’s Historic Run Cut Short
Merab Dvalishvili achieved a feat rarely seen in combat sports: successfully defending his title three times within a single year – 2025. His dominant run began with a rallying win over Umar Nurmagomedov, followed by a submission victory against Sean O’Malley and an extraordinary out-hustling of Cory Sandhagen, solidifying his position atop the bantamweight division. Despite the opportunity to rest on his laurels, Dvalishvili boldly declared his intention to fight again, even before his October victory over sandhagen.
This ambition led him to UFC 323, where he faced Petr Yan, ultimately dropping both the fight and the title to his Russian rival in what was described as a “virtuosic performance.” While the year didn’t conclude as he envisioned, Dvalishvili logged nearly 18 rounds across four fights against the division’s elite. “You have to tip your cap to the 34-year-old for trying to do something no one else has done,” one analyst noted.
The decision to fight Yan so soon after dispatching Sandhagen is now subject to debate, but the accomplishment of winning three championship fights in one year remains “an insane achievement” and firmly establishes Dvalishvili as a standout performer.
Dvalishvili’s 2025 began with a hard-fought victory over Umar Nurmagomedov in March,showcasing his relentless pressure and grappling prowess. He then secured a second-round submission win against Sean O’Malley in June, proving his versatility. His October bout against Cory Sandhagen was a striking clinic, demonstrating his improved stand-up game. Though, the fast turnaround to face Petr yan at UFC 323 in December proved to be his undoing, with Yan capitalizing on Dvalishvili’s fatigue to reclaim the bantamweight title.The final result was a unanimous decision loss for Dvalishvili.
Van’s Unexpected Championship Ascent
In the flyweight division, Joshua Van experienced a breakout year, culminating in a championship title. He opened 2025 as an intriguing prospect and closed it as the champion,securing four victories in just 10 months. This rapid rise sets the stage for a compelling 125-pound weight class in 2026.
Van’s journey was foreshadowed by a conversation with the late Tom Gerbasi ahead of UFC 310. According to reports, Van confidently predicted that a victory over Cody Durden would launch his breakout campaign – a prediction that proved remarkably accurate. He went “from outside the rankings to sitting atop the division,” consistently elevating his game with each of his frist three fights.
His year concluded at UFC 323 with an early injury to champion Alexandre Pantoja, resulting in an unsatisfying, yet still impressive, close to a year defined by rapid ascent.
