Merab Dvalishvili went into Brad Katona’s home country and dominated him, en route to a unanimous decision victory at UFC Ottawa.
Brad Katona has impressed in his career so far. The Canadian prospect is 8-0 in MMA and won The Ultimate Fighter 27, defeating current UFC fighters Kyler Phillips and Bryce Mitchell along the way. Katona is coming off a decision win over Matthew Lopez in December.
Merab Dvalishvili started his career at 7-2, defeating top prospects Tony Gravely and Raufeon Stots. The latter victory, a spinning backfist knockout, was in front of Dana White as a part of Lookin’ for a Fight, and the Georgian fighter was subsequently signed by the UFC. He had an unlucky start to his Octagon run, losing a controversial decision to Frankie Saenz in his debut, then losing by submission to Ricky Simon in controversial fashion as he was seemingly unconscious after time expired in the final round. The Serra BJJ product bounced back with a dominant victory against Terrion Ware.
Round 1:
Katona blocks a high kick from Dvalishvili to start the bout. The fighter from the country of Georgia lands an inside kick and then an outside kick. Katona responds with a kick of his own. Dvalishivili misses a spinning back fist. The Canadian steps into the pocket and they exchange hard right hands. The Georgian misses a flying kick but blasts the Ultimate Fighter winner with a combo. He lands a follow up right hand too.
Katona presses forward but gets stung with a combo. Dvalishvili grabs a single and takes Katona down but can’t hold him there. Back on the feet, Katona grazes the Machine with a left hook. He drops down on a single leg of his own and presses Dvalishvili against the cage. They reverse position until Katona gets back tripped to the canvas while having double underhooks.
In Katona’s closed guard, Dvalishvili unloads with some heavy ground and pound as the round comes to an end.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 for Dvalishvili
Round 2:
Katona marches forward but is taken down by a perfectly timed double leg. The Georgian fighter works from the closed guard to half guard with heavy top pressure. Katona is able to capture the full guard but can’t get the Serra / Longo team member off of him. Dvalishvili is basically just holding Katona down while referee Kevin MacDonald warns them off a possible standup. He gives a few rabbit punches to the ribs before being stood up with just over a minute left in the round.
A 1-2 combo lands for Dvalishvili while Katona grabs the clinch. He pressed his foe against the cage and lands to knees. As the round ends, Dvalishvili trips Katona to the canvas.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 for Dvalishvili
Round 3:
Dvalishvili opens the round with a low kick and blocks a high kick from Katona. The Canadian slips a punch from his opponent and lands a right hand of his own. The Ultimate Fighter winner grazes Katona with an elbow
Dvalishvili shoots in on a takedown but Katona defends it well. The Georgian presses Katona against the cage and hits Katona with a small combo as they break. Katona throws a kick that Dvalishvili catches. He tries to take Katona down but it is defended well.
Katona throws a looping punch which Dvalishvili ducks under and takes him to the canvas. He turns Katona off the fence and hits him with a few punches. Katona throws up an armbar attempt but gets blasted with a few punches. In a scramble, the Canadian rolls for an ankle but can’t find the submission as the round comes to an end.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili def. Brad Katona by unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Another takedown for Merab!#UFCOttawa pic.twitter.com/spmN7SPgDl
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2019
