UFC on ESPN 23 results: Merab Dvalishvili outworks Cody Stamann, calls out Dominick Cruz

With his sixth straight win, Merab Dvalishvili said he’s ready to start fighting big names.

Dvalishvili (13-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) outworked Cody Stamann (19-4-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) for a unanimous decision. Dvalishvili took a 30-27 score and a pair of 29-28s from the judges.

The bantamweight bout opened up the UFC on ESPN 23 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

Stamann came out aggressive early, but Dvalishvili took him to the canvas. He couldn’t keep him there long, though, and back on the feet, Stamann tried to take the fight down. The fight stayed on the feet after that and went back and forth. But Dvalishvili, as well-versed as he is at going to the mat, looked crisp in his standup.

In the second, Stamann got the fight back to the canvas, but it wasn’t long before Dvalishvili worked back to his feet thanks to some strong punches from his back. Eventually, Dvalishvili tried to jump guard for a guillotine choke, and when it wasn’t there, he had to work from his back. He got back up, only to land a solid slam, then another throw moments later.

In the final round, Dvalishvili continued to look good in the standup game. But Stamann was out firing, as well. He pressed the action for much of the frame, perhaps concerned he might need a finish to leave with a win. But Dvalishvili stayed strong in their exchanges. When Dvalishvili tried to take the fight down once more, Stamann reversed position and did solid work up top. But it was too little, too late.

“I want to be back as soon as possible,” Dvalishvili said in his post-fight interview. “Top 10, top five – but to be honest, I deserve a big name. I have six straight wins. I deserve Dominick Cruz or a former champion. I’m ready to fight, and I’m hungry.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 23 results include:

• Merab Dvalishvili def. Cody Stamann via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luana Pinheiro def. Randa Markos via disqualification (illegal kick) – Round 1, 4:16
• TJ Brown def. Kai Kamaka via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luana Carolina def. Poliana Botelho via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Loma Lookboonmee def. Sam Hughes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Andreas Michailidis def. KB Bhullar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Felipe Colares def. Luke Sanders via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)