Merab Dvalishvili will face Marlon Moraes in a high-stakes rematch at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is returning to the mat to face ex-UFC contender Marlon Moraes. The high-profile collision is officially booked for the upcoming Real American Freestyle (RAF) fight card scheduled on November 14 in Abu Dhabi.
This upcoming athletic spectacle serves as a highly anticipated rematch from their previous encounter at UFC 266. During that initial meeting, the fighter known as The Machine secured a dominant victory by stopping Moraes in the second round of action.
Both competitors enter this upcoming martial arts showcase looking to rebound from recent setbacks, according to information published by mmamania.
Merab Dvalishvili Seeks Redemption After Recent Losses
The Georgian grappler is currently looking to bounce back following defeats in both RAF and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Most recently, he came up short in his Petr Yan rematch at UFC 333, failing to reclaim the prestigious 135-pound crown.
Before that championship loss, The Machine suffered a tough defeat on the mat when he got pinned by Henry Cejudo at RAF 12 back in August. These consecutive setbacks have heightened the stakes for his upcoming appearance in the Middle East.
Marlon Moraes Returns to Combat Sports Competition
Meanwhile, Marlon Moraes has transitioned into a completely different career path outside the cage, currently working as a police officer in South Florida. Despite his law enforcement duties, the veteran athlete decided to step back into active athletic competition last summer.
Known by the moniker Magic, the 38-year-old fighter returned with a stellar unanimous decision victory over Maximilian Perez at LMC 2 in São Paulo, Brazil. Now three years older than his upcoming opponent, Moraes aims to avenge his previous loss.
RAF Abu Dhabi Fight Card Highlights and Crossover Bouts
The upcoming event in the United Arab Emirates features several other notable matchups across its extensive combat sports lineup. The main event features a massive cruiserweight crossover title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington.
Elsewhere on the same promotional card, Arman Tsarukyan is scheduled to wrestle Neiman Gracie in a compelling stylistic clash. Meanwhile, notable wrestling star Jordan Burroughs recently missed his chance to face Arman for the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Merab Dvalishvili and Marlon Moraes rematch?
The rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Marlon Moraes takes place on November 14 at the RAF event in Abu Dhabi.
Where did Merab Dvalishvili and Marlon Moraes first fight?
The two fighters first met at UFC 266, where Merab Dvalishvili secured a second-round victory over Marlon Moraes.
What is Marlon Moraes doing now?
Marlon Moraes currently works as a police officer in South Florida while occasionally returning to active athletic competition.
