{
  "id": 18125351,
  "title": "Merab Dvalishvili 'excited to return to Abu Dhabi' after being added to RAF wrestling card",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/merab-dvalishvili-excited-to-return-to-abu-dhabi-after-being-added-to-18125351",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-04T13:37:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2026/11/04/merab-dvalishvili-excited-to-return-to-abu-dhabi-after-being-added-to-raf-wrestling-card/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Merab Dvalishvili, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is thrilled to return to Abu Dhabi following his participation in the recent UFC 333 event. After losing to Petr Yan by unanimous decision, Dvalishvili has been added to the RAF Abu Dhabi card. The Georgian wrestler will face Brazilian MMA star Marlon Moraes in a Catchweight Crossover matchup on November 14 at the inaugural RAF Abu Dhabi event.\n\nDvalishvili expressed his excitement about returning to Abu Dhabi, praising the city's passionate combat sports fans. He stated, \"I'm excited to return to Abu Dhabi and compete at RAF's first event in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi has some of the best combat sports fans in the world, and the atmosphere is always incredible. I love wrestling, I love competing, and I'm ready for whoever is standing across from me. I'm coming to win and put on a great show for the fans on November 14.\"\n\nThis match is set to add to the already impressive RAF Abu Dhabi lineup, which includes the main card featuring UAE's Khamzat Chimaev against Colby Covington for the Cruiserweight Crossover Championship. Dvalishvili, known as \"The Machine,\" will compete in his fourth RAF event, with two victories in three previous contests. Notable opponents for the night include former WSOF bantamweight champion and UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes, who has extensive combat sports experience, and a roster of other leading names such as Arman Tsarukyan, Neiman Gracie, Umar Nurmagomedov, Urijah Faber, Kyle Snyder, and Julianna Pena.",
  "summary": "Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili returns to the UAE three weeks after his last outing, after being added to the RAF Abu Dhabi card. The Georgian was unsuccessful in his attempt to reclaim his title at UFC 333 on October 24, losing to Petr Yan by unanimous decision in the co-main event. On November 14, the Georgian faces Brazilian MMA star and former UFC title challenger Marlon…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}