Report: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Raoni Barcelos set for December 5th

Two of bantamweight’s most fearsome rising talents are set to face off in just three weeks time. That’s according to a report from MMA Fighting, whose sources say that the UFC has put together a bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Raoni Barcelos.

Barcelos (16-1) is fresh off a dominant victory over Khalid Taha just this last Saturday, on UFC Vegas 13: Santos vs. Teixeira. The 33-year-old Pedro Rizzo prodigy hasn’t lost a fight in six years, picking up nine wins in the process. He’s currently 5-0 in the UFC, including victories over Chris Gutierrez and Said Nurmagomedov.

For Dvalishvili, this fight represents the Georgian’s fourth trip to the Octagon in 2020. The 12-4 Serra-Longo talent had a rough intro to his UFC career, dropping his first two bouts via a controversial split decision and an even more controversial third round submission. But he’s bounced back remarkably well, running off five straight victories, including dominant performances against Casey Kenney at UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 and John Dodson at UFC 252.

UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Holland is set to take place on December 5th. While no official venue for the card has been announced, the event is likely to be held at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, NV. Alongside the middleweight main event, the card will feature a featherweight bout between Movsar Evloev and Nate Landwehr—as well as the final bout of former bantamweight title contender Bethe Correia’s MMA career. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more news and notes.