UPDATE: UFC men’s bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili made history during his title defense against Cory Sandhagen last weekend in Las Vegas, becoming the first fighter ever to achieve 100 takedowns inside the Octagon. Dvalishvili dominated the fight, securing an astonishing 20 takedowns and bringing his total to 117 throughout his UFC career.
This remarkable achievement underscores the sheer athleticism and skill of Dvalishvili, who has now surpassed Georges St-Pierre, previously the closest to 100 takedowns with 90 during his illustrious 13-year career. Only four fighters have even reached 75 takedowns, highlighting the significance of Dvalishvili’s milestone.
At just 34 years old, Dvalishvili is already eyeing his fourth title defense, which he hopes to schedule for December. With his current trajectory, he could potentially reach 200 takedowns before his career concludes.
As the UFC landscape continues to evolve, several other fighters are also on the cusp of monumental milestones. This weekend, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (record: 35-11, 1 NC) faces Mateusz Gamrot (record: 25-3, 1 NC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro, marking Oliveira’s first fight in his home country since 2020.
Oliveira is no stranger to the record books, currently sitting at No. 1 all-time for finishes (20), submissions (16), and fight night bonuses (20). As he competes at age 35, he remains determined and has no plans for retirement, which could lead him to surpass even more records.
Among the notable milestones within reach of fighters are:
- 50 UFC Fights: Jim Miller holds the record with 46 fights. He aims for 50, while Oliveira trails with 15 more required.
- 30 UFC Wins: Miller again leads with 27 wins, but Oliveira, currently at 23, is a strong contender.
- 20 Consecutive Wins: The record is held by Anderson Silva with 16. Jon Jones, while not officially recognized due to a no contest, boasts an unbeaten streak of 19.
- 20 UFC Knockouts: Derrick Lewis is currently at 16 knockouts, on the brink of making history.
- Three Division Championships: Alex Pereira, who recently regained his light heavyweight title, aims to challenge in a third weight class.
- 15 Wins in Women’s Title Fights: Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko lead, with Nunes eyeing a comeback.
- 4,000 Significant Strikes: Max Holloway is nearing this milestone with 3,655 significant strikes landed, far ahead of his nearest competitor.
These records not only emphasize the athletic prowess of UFC fighters but also the excitement and unpredictability of mixed martial arts as a sport. Fans around the world are eagerly watching to see who will achieve these stunning milestones next.
As the action unfolds, stay tuned for more updates on these incredible athletes as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the Octagon.
