Merab Dvalishvili Gains 19 Pounds Before UFC 333 Title Fight

Merab Dvalishvili has reported a significant weight gain of 19 pounds in just five hours following the weigh-in for his bantamweight title fight against Petr Yan at UFC 333, held in Abu Dhabi.

Before the fight, both Dvalishvili and Yan weighed in at 135 pounds. After the weigh-in, Dvalishvili shared a video on Instagram showing his weight at 154 pounds. He explained that he had been rehydrating with water and planned to eat before the fight.

The practice of cutting weight is common among fighters, who often lose water weight before rehydrating to gain an advantage in the octagon. The UFC has implemented measures to ensure safer weight cuts, including banning IV drips and promoting healthier hydration methods. Dvalishvili is looking to reclaim the title he lost to Yan last December.