One of the more highly anticipated matchups at UFC Vegas 25 was the bantamweight showdown between Cody Stamann (19-3-1) and Merab Dvalishvili (12-4). These two top bantamweights have been paired up before, but this is the first time that the fight actually went down.
Stamann was looking to bounce back after he suffered defeat in his last fight. He took on Jimmie Rivera during the UFC‘s first trip to Fight Island. Since that loss, we haven’t seen Stamann inside the octagon.
Stamann made his octagon debut back in 2017. Since joining the UFC a few years ago the only two men to have defeated Stamann are Rivera and the current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
Sterling is one of the lead training partners of Merab Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili got off to a rough start in the UFC losing his first two. However, a switch has been flipped with the native of Georgia.
Dvalishvili has now won his last five fights in the UFC. If he could pick up a win over Stamann tonight, it would likely net him someone in the top ten for his next matchup. There was a lot on the line for both men tonight.
UFC Vegas 25 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Vegas 25 main card opener started off with a quick touch of the gloves and immediate pressure from Stamann. A beautiful head kick lands for Stamann to start the striking.
Dvalishvili opens his striking with a big 1-2 and then he connects big with an uppercut. Stamann throws another kick, but Dvalishvili catches it and takes Stamann down. Dvalishvili was heavy on the pressure, but Stamann was able to get back to his feet.
More pressure for Stamann who shoots in for his first takedown. Dvalishvili just shrugs him off, but Stamann goes right back in for a takedown. Again, Dvalishvili defends well and Stamann throws some shots on the break.
Dvalishvili lands a brief takedown, but Stamann pops right back up. A nice jab lands for Dvalishvili, but Stamann staggers him with a big straight right hand. A beautiful 1-2 lands for Merab Dvalishvili.
Straight right hand lands for Dvalishvili and then again. Stamann was heavy on the pressure and Dvalishvili lands a brief takedown. A nice scramble to end the right has Stamann on top. Good round but it’s 1-0 Dvalishvili at UFC Vegas 25.
Round 2
The second round at UFC Vegas 25 started with more pressure from Cody Stamann. Stamann opens the striking with a body kick and he pushes forward. Cody Stamann lands his first takedown and is able to keep Dvalishvili down for about thirty seconds.
Dvalishvili gets back to his feet but eats a clean left on the break. A nice jab lands for Stamann, but Dvalishvili pushes forward and lands a takedown of his own. A scramble gets the fight back to the feet and both men exchange shots.
Dvalishvili times a jab beautifully and takes down Stamann. Stamann reverses the position, but Dvalishvili locks in a deep guillotine choke. Dvalishvili cranks it, but Stamann pops his head out. Another scramble has the fight back to the feet.
Big combination lands for Dvalishvili and he’s turning up the pressure. Stamann pops the jab, but Dvalishvili gets in deep on a takedown and slams Stamann down. Stamann defends well and gets back up.
Dvalishvili has his back up against fence and he’s winging his shots. Stamann is very heavy on the pressure, but he’s not landing. The two come together and Dvalishvili lands a hip toss. The round closes and it’s 2-0 Dvalishvili at UFC Vegas 25 on my scorecard.
Round 3
Heading into the final round at UFC Vegas 25 and I think Cody Stamann needs a finish. The final round opens with a touch of the gloves and Stamann is right back on the pressure of Dvalishvili.
Solid 1-2 lands for Merab Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili pushes forward and both men exchange big shots. Another big combination lands for Dvalishvili and Stamann was starting to look a little tired here in the third.
However, he was still pressing forward looking for big shots. Dvalishvili bounces off the cage and comes forward with a nice right hand. There is just so much activity from Merab Dvalishvili here in the final round. A nice left seems to stagger Stamann.
Stamann throws a flying knee which seems to land, but Dvalishvili just smiles at him. Uppercut and left hook lands for Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili follows it with two straight crisp jabs and it’s all Dvalishvili here in the third.
Dvalishvili goes for a takedown, but Stamann defends extremely well. Stamann is able to get top position and both men start trading shots on the ground. A nice scramble sees the two men in a neutral position. The round closes and despite the top control, I give the third at UFC Vegas 25 to Merab Dvalishvili.
Merab Dvalishvili def. Cody Stamann by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)