Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili full fight video highlights

Watch Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili full fight video highlights from their fight on the UFC 278 main card, courtesy of the UFC and other outlets.

UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 took place August 30 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Former UFC champion Jose Aldo (31-7) and Merab Dvalishvili (14-4) collided in a key bantamweight fight. The fight aired live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

Check out the highlights video below.

For more on Aldo vs. Dvalishvili, check out our live blog from MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew.

Round 1

Both males come out looking orthodox, and Aldo takes the center position in his traditional stance. Also is flashing that front leg early, and that’s been his best way to defend takedowns, to draw them onto single-legs.

Dvalishvili throws a body kick to get things going but we’re in a feeling out process through 1 minute. Each man feints and moves forward and backwards. Now Dvalishvili has Aldo backing up to the fence and he blasts a double leg but Aldo using the fence to prevent it. And he cannot. Aldo gives up and we are back at range.

Dvalishvili throwing some leg kicks but Aldo is checking them and lands a powerful one of his own. Aldo very defensive to start and lands another kick. Dvalishvili is very active, but not really. He just throws light punches in the air. No intent. He does not want to be countered.

Kick by Aldo. He needs more volume. Dvalishvili comes in, grabs a lock on the body against the fence. It is now only one, but that’s Aldo. Dvalishvili controlling, Aldo landing some shots. Dvalishvili attempts to break the hook, but Dvalishvili takes a shot and falls backwards.

Now it’s Aldo on the front foot and he lands a big body shot. Dvalishvili then charges in with a knee to his body. Dvalishvili getting a little reckless sometimes now. Right hand from Aldo. Missed spin from Dvalishvili. He’s backing Aldo up but not landing anything. Aldo hits a huge right hand, and charges forward with a jumpy knee just before the horn. Merab returns but is unable to make it and looks Aldo down.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Aldo.

Round 2

Dvalishvili’s corner told him to up his striking in between rounds.

Dvalishvili opens with a leg kick. He’s taking the center and powers on a single leg but Aldo is so good! He backs to the fence and Dvalishvili is now holding this leg and trying to work. Aldo has some knees but he isn’t going to fall and is landing some quick shots. Wall and stall baby.

Both guys doing the same thing here. Aldo is unable to get over the fence. He finally disengages and now Aldo is coming forward. Aldo scores a combination that gives Dvalishvili the backing.

Dvalishvili can drive on one-leg, but it’s not enough. Aldo is too good at defending these. Dvalishvili back up to the cage though and he’s going to live in this world I guess. The fans are chanting for Aldo and booing the hell out of Dvalishvili. Aldo wins the clinch with a great shoulder strike. Dvalishvili spans another single-leg though. He’s not even close to the takedown but he’s still back at the fence.

Aldo breaks again and Dvalishvili spams another shot. Aldo sprawls. He lands an attack on the body from space. A jab. And a low kick. Dvalishvili backing Aldo up again though. Aldo swings a big right hand that Dvalishvili gets another clinch. Aldo breaks down and hits him. He then hits him again. Dvalishvili clinches another round-ending clinch.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Aldo, 20-18 overall.

Round 3

I suspect that the judges awarded Dvalishvili that round, but I don’t intend to reward clear stall tactics. Aldo did land some okay shots at range. Let’s hope that something good happens.

They hugged to begin the third, and Dvalishvili instantly goes for another leg. However, he fails. Aldo breaks early. Dvalishvili lands a good right hand. Aldo might be tired as he charges in. He is moving on, and not countering any more. Dvalishvili is in the grill, swinging a few punches and then getting a clinch. Aldo lands a good knee to the body though and breaks.

Dvalishvili pushing the pace and Aldo is back to the fence all the time now. Another good knee from Aldo. Dvalishvili not landing much, but he’s keeping the pressure up. Aldo lands a left hook. Dvalishvili attempts a clinch, but Aldo fails. Dvalishvili then breaks another and land a right-hand.

Combo is being developed by Dvalishvili. It’s ugly but Dvalishvili is now at least being effective. Big right from Dvalishvili barely misses. Aldo retreating in total. And he’s opening up with the hands. Nothing landing huge, but Aldo has slowed his own offense to a crawl. It’s still a great defense but it doesn’t count for points.

Aldo gets a jab, and right to the head. Dvalishvili is hit with a left hook and Dvalishvili receives a body lock. Aldo can’t be removed. Dvalishvili breaks, and he goes back in. Dvalishvili still holds this clinch.

Dvalishvili tries to muscle down a body lock but Aldo working the whizzer too well. He keeps going and now gets a pass to the back. Aldo is now against the fence, and Dvalishvili has his knees on the hips. This will be held for as long as possible.

And as long as he can appears to be for the remainder of the round. He fires knees to the thigh until the last second when Aldo breaks.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Dvalishvili, 29-28 Aldo overall.