Overview
- Merab Dvalishvili said a knee in sparring left his nose swollen, cracked and difficult to breathe on one side.
- An X-ray showed breaks in two places, and a nose surgeon told him proper repair would mean re-breaking bones and about a year of recovery.
- Dvalishvili said he will postpone corrective surgery and continue to compete rather than sit out for an extended stretch.
- He still plans a separate wrestling match with Henry Cejudo at RAF, showing he intends to stay active even outside MMA.
- The injury adds uncertainty to a potential trilogy with Petr Yan and the UFC bantamweight timeline, though Dvalishvili said he expects the UFC to assist with his medical care.