Merab Dvalishvili is set to serve as the official backup fighter for UFC 299’s main event between men’s bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and challenger Marlon Vera.
Dvalishvili will weigh in on Friday along with the 28 fighters scheduled to compete on the 14-fight card, and should anything happen this week that results in either headliner being unable to compete Saturday at Miami’s Kaseya Center, the 33-year-old Georgian will step in on short notice.
The No. 1-ranked 135-pound contender’s management, Knock Out Representation, made the announcement late Tuesday that its fighter will be travelling to Florida on Wednesday for the assignment.
Dvalishvili is coming off a three-round victory over former two-weight champion Henry Cejudo less than three weeks ago at UFC 298.
UFC president Dana White confirmed following February’s UFC 298 that Dvalishvili would be next in line to fight for the bantamweight title.
He has won 10 consecutive fights dating back to 2018, with all but one coming via unanimous decision. His past three wins have all been over former UFC champions. Prior to beating Cejudo, Dvalishvili defeated Petr Yan and Jose Aldo to extend his lengthy winning streak.
