Merab Dvalishvili
Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili is a Georgian American UFC bantamweight and former champion who shares training, travel and playful skits with fans.
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Latest
Merab’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
UFC
UFC
UFCOverview
- Born
- January 10, 1991 · Georgia
- Known as
- The Machine
- Sport
- Mixed martial arts · UFC bantamweight
- Breakthrough
- UFC bantamweight champion at UFC 306 in September 2024
- Training base
- Syndicate MMA, Las Vegas
Mini bio
How it started.
Merab grew up in Georgia and trained in judo and sambo before moving into MMA. In his UFC athlete Q&A, he dates the start of his fight training to 2010, after seven years in those grappling sports.
Building a new life.
He moved to the United States at 21 and settled in New York, balancing construction work with training. Coaches Matt Serra and Ray Longo became part of his development. A knockout featured on Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight helped earn him a UFC contract, and he made his Octagon debut in December 2017.
Finding his rhythm.
His UFC career opened with two losses. He kept going, building a winning run that included victories over José Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo. In September 2024, he beat Sean O’Malley at Sphere to become UFC bantamweight champion.
The fighter fans follow.
Merab’s constant pressure and repeated takedowns are central to his fighting style. Away from competition, fans also follow his playful skits, including videos built around an O’Malley lookalike. His online personality became another way to connect as his championship career grew.
The next chapter.
He defended the title against Umar Nurmagomedov, O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen in 2025 before losing the belt to Yan that December. Yan also won their October 2026 trilogy bout. Merab has continued competing in freestyle wrestling and sharing his travels and collaborations.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026UFC 333: Volkanovski vs EvloevBantamweight title challenger against Petr Yan
- 2025UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2Main event · Bantamweight title defense
- 2025UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2Successful bantamweight title defense against Cory Sandhagen
- 2025UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs O’Malley 2Main event · Successful bantamweight title defense
- 2025UFC 311: Makhachev vs MoicanoSuccessful bantamweight title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov
- 2024UFC 306: O’Malley vs DvalishviliWon the UFC bantamweight championship
Awards
Quotes
Just keep dreaming, and keep working for your dream and everything is possible.Merab Dvalishvili, interview with KTVH / MTN Sports
Before his first UFC title shot in September 2024, he reflected on balancing construction work with training and on supporting his family.
Trivia
- He earned a physical education degree in Georgia.
- His UFC Q&A names Mike Tyson as a hero.
- He holds a black belt in judo.
- Before his UFC career, he was a two-time Ring of Combat champion.
Find Merab
Follow Merab for training, travel and the occasional skit.
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